I have recently engaged in several conversations regarding the permissibility of Christians smoking cigars and drinking whiskey. These discussions are always challenging because they often involve either close friends who are concerned about the perceived direction of my life or acquaintances from church who accuse me of potentially causing someone to stumble.
These conversations require patience, as I am a passionate individual. When my passions surface, they can sometimes come across as anger, though that is never my intent. Throughout these discussions, I strive to share my perspective and provide a biblical foundation for why I indulge in such activities and why I believe they can be good. However, these conversations are often not initiated with a genuine desire to understand my viewpoint but rather to convince me of my supposed error.
To provide more context, I don’t just smoke cigars—I am also one of the owners of a cigar company, Patriarch Cigar Co. Because of this, many people might perceive me as not just flirting with sin but diving headfirst into it as if I were a snake oil salesman baiting people to their eternal demise.
Most of those who confront me about this supposed backsliding share a similar religious background to mine. They are often Pentecostals—a title I no longer claim, as our theological differences have grown vast. For clarity’s sake, they believe in the gifts of the Spirit. To be clear, I also believe in the gifts of the Spirit, so that is not where we differ, nor is this blog intended to focus on that distinction. However, I find it ironic that many Pentecostals (and I’ll try to avoid making blanket statements here but bear with me) tend to emphasize spiritual gifts over the physical gifts that God has also provided. Granted, if you were to ask them whether air, water, breath, clothing, etc., are gifts from God, they would undoubtedly say yes. They would, as I do, distinguish between common grace (gifts given to all people) and the spiritual gifts referenced in the New Testament. Where we diverge, however, is in how broadly we understand the category of common grace. They tend to, without truly intending to, adopt a gnostic view of the world, meaning they tend to view all earthly things as wicked and only spiritual things as being truly holy and worthwhile.
Ecclesiastes 3:13 says, “Also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.” Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon, reflects on human life's fleeting and sometimes perplexing nature. Ecclesiastes chapter 3 begins by emphasizing that everything in life has its time and season, as stated in verse 1: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Verse 13 offers insight into the balance between God’s sovereignty and human enjoyment.
The context of the passage suggests that nothing man does on earth can change the plans God has set. The verses preceding verse 13 remind us that life’s cycles and events are determined by Him. Rather than being consumed with worry over the uncontrollable nature of life, we are encouraged to focus on the blessings God has already provided. Verse 13 highlights these blessings, describing them as the joys of life—eating, drinking, and taking satisfaction in our work. These are not just permissible activities; they are described as gifts from God to be thoroughly enjoyed. And just to be clear, I highly doubt that this reference to “drink” meant anything other than wine. Psalm 104:14-15 solidifies this argument: "You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth, and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread to strengthen man's heart." emphasis added.
Ecclesiastes continues to reflect on the brevity of life, urging readers to savor God’s blessings rather than being consumed by worry and vanity. The message is clear: everything in life, including life itself, is a gift. Life is fleeting, and one way to glorify God is by enjoying the common graces and blessings He has given us. John Piper famously said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
However, we must also consider the other side of the proverbial coin. Proverbs 25:28 states, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” While Ecclesiastes teaches that there is a time for everything, Scripture is unequivocally firm that there is never a time for sin. A lack of self-control in any aspect of life makes us vulnerable to the enemy’s influence. To be absolutely clear, drunkenness is a sin.
So how am I going to bring this full circle back to smoking? For me, Smoking cigars and sipping whiskey is an opportunity to enjoy the common graces and blessings provided by our kind and loving Creator. Of course, this requires discernment and self-control. Overindulgence and addiction—and all that stem from them—are sinful. God has given us these bodies and calls us to steward them through exercise, avoiding sins against the body (such as sexual immorality which is the only sin against the body see 1 Cor 6:18), and balancing work and rest. Our bodies have eternal value, as they will be resurrected and glorified when Christ returns. When enjoyed responsibly by self-controlled individuals, smoking and drinking are means by which we can experience enjoyment and therefore gratitude, thanking God for the gifts He has provided and the beauty He has woven into creation, and that is where cigars come into perfect view.
A cigar is more than just rolled-up tobacco; it represents craftsmanship, tradition, and fellowship. At Patriarch Cigar Co., we fully embrace this identity. Craftsmanship reflects beauty, intricacy, and excellence in all things. Tradition honors the legacy passed down through generations—not only in tobacco but also in leaving a foundation for our children and grandchildren, rooted in the glory of Christ. Fellowship is at the very heart of cigars, the body of Christ, and even sharing Christ with the world. In short, Patriarch Cigar Co. strives to create something beautiful, worth passing down to future generations, that glorifies God in every aspect.
Patriarch’s vision is to revive the seemingly ancient practice of thoughtful conversation. In times past, deep discussions frequently occurred over supper, sips, and stogies. The temperance era, in which the U.S. reacted poorly to rampant drunkenness, stripped away the social arenas where friends and families historically gathered to talk and debate. We seek to bring these spaces back to the forefront—to draw communities closer together and, ultimately, closer to the Creator. Our goal is to celebrate the beauty and craftsmanship exhibited in both the smoke and the glass, fostering the meaningful, thoughtful moments they inspire.
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