The consumption of alcohol has different meanings for different people. The use of alcohol was primarily meant to be in small quantities and mainly for digestive or medicinal purposes (stomach problems, cough, etc.). "No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities" (1 Timothy 5:23). A very small amount serves that purpose, almost like the use of soda, which is also known to contain numerous harmful ingredients, but nothing that would intoxicate someone. Many cultures today traditionally serve a simple table wine at dinner for the whole family, young and old, for no medicinal purpose; it is mainly based on tradition. At most, these drinks are less than one half of a cup. Unfortunately, many people do consume alcohol for the purpose of becoming intoxicated, getting someone else drunk, having fun, behaving silly, and releasing inhibitions. These reasons are incongruent with Christian principles and behavior and are not part of our Christian values. The more one drinks, even if it begins with small quantities, the more one will build tolerance to that amount and consume more. Therefore, since alcohol serves no good purpose and appropriate medicines are available, consuming alcohol is unacceptable and may cause one to transgress, or lead others to stumble and err.
