Day 41: Needing Clothes

 

Matthew 25:37-40

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Comments

Jesus knew what it was to be stripped of his clothes. As he was dying on the cross, soldiers gambled for what he wore, believing his garments were more valuable than he was. Through the generosity of Joseph of Arimathea, though, the nakedness of Jesus was covered before his burial.

God cares about what we wear, though not about how fashionable we are. God made leather garments to protect Adam and Eve from the harshness of the world outside the Garden of Eden. Jesus said not to worry about what we wear because God clothes even the lilies of the field with great beauty.

Reflections

How much time and money do you spend on clothes? In terms of priorities, how important is it to you that you look good?

How full is your closet? Do you wear what you have until it is worn out? Do you hold on to clothes you are no longer willing or able to wear, or do you give them away to someone who needs them more than you?

How much clothing have you bought in this last year? How much have you given away?

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for providing what I need. Help me curb my desires when I start thinking I need more and more.