Interesting discussion so far....
Regarding this particular preacher's words, the grain of his message may have had some merit, but he badly mishandled it.
Generally, is the job of preachers JUST to preach the Bible, or also to apply it to real life? I would say the latter. Some people say that a fat pastor has no business telling women they must be thin for their men. Okay, then whose business is it? According to the Bible, their own husbands!
"The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does." (1 Cor. 7:4)
This is written in the context of sexual relations, but the principle holds more generally. If YOUR husband prefers you to be slender, you are a fool to get fat and/or stay fat. If YOUR wife prefers you to be a little chunky, you are a fool to starve yourself. If YOUR spouse truly doesn't care, then that's one less thing to concern you... be thankful.
It is in your own best interest to get healthy and stay healthy, and that will benefit your spouse in the long run. Is it anyone else's business? Usually, no, it isn't. However, a Christian pastor has the responsibility to speak to his flock generally about how to preserve the marriage bond. As a married person, one thing you can do to help preserve your marriage is to attain/maintain physical health. Should the pastor tell married people to love their own spouse regardless? Yes... of course, but does that mean he shouldn't tell the hard truths as well? Think on that seriously. If the pastor can't address a topic because some people are sensitive about it, then it's a sacred cow.
