Bread and games - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written. The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.
1 Corinthians 10: 7.

Bread and games
At the time of the decline of the Roman Empire the capital Rome was the place of refuge for a vast number of inactive people who had no resources: they were peasants whose land had been confiscated, former legionaries and exiles from many lands. The emperor organised the distribution of grain to satisfy their hunger. They also had to occupy these unemployed people to prevent them from rebelling. The emperor therefore organised games in the amphitheatres built for this purpose. Entertainments of all kinds were presented there, from the extremely cruel (Christians thrown to the lions)to the most spectacular (chariot racing or naval battles).

When social tension rose, the discontented gathered together in crowds to clamour for "panem et circenses!" (bread and games).

Today, more than ever before, materialism reigns. Since human beings cannot live without trying to fulfil things they imagine, they are offered every form of excitement imaginable. In gigantic stadiums or in front of their television set they can watch all that is going on.

All this time God is forgotten; forgotten, too, are the threats bearing down on society, preparing the judgments reported in the Bible.

Must we slip into this frenzied behaviour? Let us rather heed God's warnings. Today is the day of salvation in Jesus Christ; tomorrow is the day of judgment. "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. .

Today‘s reading: Deuteronomy 11: 18 - 32 · Matthew 25: 1 - 13