As every season starts, I go through my closet to see what I have and to determine what I will keep. Almost without question, there will be a large garbage bag of clothing to take to the Salvation Army. Sometimes I discard because the article of clothing does not fit anymore, sometimes it is out of style, or I just don’t like it. It is not a problem that I discard clothing so that others may gain something they need. The problem is the amount of clothing I have. I’m sure I am not the only one with too many clothes. There are many in America who are poor financially, yet they have a closet full of clothes. It is the items we use to make an impression on someone else, the outward façade that we use to be like everyone else, to fit in, and be accepted. We may buy designer clothing at second-hand stores so we can present a different impression of our wealth. Our clothing says much about who we are, where we go, what our hobbies are, and what we want others to think of us.
In ancient times, the garments worn by a person were very important. This is where they placed their wealth. In Matthew 6:19, Jesus addresses the issue of laying up treasures on earth where moths could destroy. Moths are tiny insects that eat clothing, and garments are very important in the Jewish culture that Jesus taught. In Genesis 45:22, after Joseph had revealed himself to his brothers, he gave them gifts. The first thing he mentions is clothing. These were garments from the King’s palace, garments that were distinctive and connected them with royalty. I find it interesting in Joshua 7:21 that Achan would risk being found out as a disobedient, covetous follower of the Most High God by keeping Babylonian garments. Why would he risk hiding garments? Because garments were coveted items.
Matthew 6:19 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:”
Genesis 45:22 “To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.”
Joshua 7:21 “When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.”
When we speak of wealth, our mind first goes to money, cash, stocks, gold, or silver. However, when a Hebrew or someone from the Orient spoke of wealth, their first thought was on clothing. This was a means of projecting their wealth. If you look around today, you will find the same situation. We buy things we can’t afford and pay for them on time so we can project to be something we are not. We like for others to think we can afford items that speak or show monetary value.
Jesus speaks of where our value of things should be in Matthew 6:20. He instructs us, and those in the audience that day, to place our money in things eternal, not temporal. Heaven is eternal, and things on this earth are temporal. Things on this earth will rust and decay. Thieves will seek to steal things of earthly value, but the most valuable things, the eternal things, cannot be gained by thieves. If God has blessed you with things, use them to His glory. Use your home to make others feel special and loved. Use your money to promote the gospel. Take a weary saint or a needy sinner for lunch. Use your resources to encourage the faint, to take care of the poor, or to show love to the unloved. The things we have are gifts to us from God to use for Him.
So, what’s in your closet? If a total stranger were to come to your home, what would they think of you upon examination of your closet? Would they find a closet filled with more clothes than you could ever wear? Would they find clothes you would be ashamed to wear in front of Jesus, yet you unashamedly wear them to draw attention in public? Would they find clothing that was valued far beyond your means? Would they find you as a wasteful steward, not taking care of the things God has blessed you with? Examine your closet today. Maybe it’s time for a cleanout job. Maybe it’s time to reinvest what you have. After all, Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Matthew 6:20-21 “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ”
What’s in your closet?
