Clothes Minded

This could potentially be one of the most practical posts I have written thus far, and also one that might cause a little stirring in your bones.  But to say the least I hope it causes you to think about why you do the things you do.

Have you heard the old saying, “The clothes make the man.”  This saying is one that is a bit unsettling.  The reason being is that as a culture we have really bought into this idea that our clothes are essential to our identity.  I have even found myself saying things like, “That shirt isn’t really me.”  Which then makes me wonder why I am identifying myself with a certain type of clothing.

Basically I just want to propose the question, “Why do we buy the clothes that we buy?”  Do we buy them because it is what we can afford?  Because that is what we like to wear?  Because it is what the current trend is?  Or do we buy clothes in hopes that other people will think they look good on us?

Please do not misunderstand my purpose.  I am not saying there is a right or wrong answer.  I am all for looking presentable when that time arrives.  I believe that we are to be good stewards of all God has given us, and that includes our physical body.  But I am simply addressing that perhaps we put too much stock in the clothes that we wear.

Maybe try taking a month or three and say, “During this time I am not going to buy any new clothes, and the money I will save I am going to invest in something that will help advance God’s Kingdom.”

There is one man that has weighed in on this topic, and what He has said determines the way I live my life.  In once instance He said:

“And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Soli Deo gloria