Men's Moments

The Clothes Swap

“Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.  If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand here” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”    James 2: 2 – 4

 Spring is here and it’s time for the “clothes swap.”  As the cold days start to fade and the warm days start to increase, Linda and I exchange our warm winter clothes for cooler ones.  In my case, long sleeve shirts and sweaters are put away and short sleeve shirts are brought out.  Since our children are out of the house with families of their own, we use their old bedroom closets for storage of our winter/summer clothes. 

  As we carry shirts and blouses from one closet to another, we take the time to look at each item and decide if we want to keep it or give it away.  In my case, I find it hard to do this.  After all, I am still wearing some shirts that I’ve had for several decades.  I like the way it feels “broken in” and it still fits.  I then have to rely on Linda’s opinion if the shirt is beyond repair.  In fact, I’m typing this while wearing a shirt that is 30 some years old.  It’s comfortable and I don’t wear it anywhere but around the house.

  You may have heard the phrase, “Clothes make the man.”  In other words, you should judge a person by the clothes they are wearing.  I’m not sure that if you belong to the “Kingdom of Heaven” that should apply.  Many times in the Bible, outward appearances can be misleading.  In 1 Samuel,  Samuel is told to go to Jesse’s house to choose one of his sons to be king. He sees one of his sons who is strong and tall.  Samuel assumes that he’s the one. God says to the prophet “Do not consider his outward appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.  The Lord does not look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  God tells Samuel to anoint David, a lowly shepherd boy.

   In the book of 1 Peter he tells the women, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

  So this spring, as I switch my clothes from one closet to another, may I remain consistent in my inward appearance with a faithful and humble heart.

Amen. Praise God!!                                                                                       

Written by Bob Wilson