Copyright © 1997
Used by Premission
Introduction
I am intrigued by clever oxymorons. An oxymoron is a statement or pairing of two words that contradict each other, such as "black light" or "pretty ugly." A few humorous, personal favorites are "military intelligence," "criminal justice," "civil disorder," and "rap music" (the rap I've heard does not even slightly resemble music). Some oxymorons are more serious, like "little sin," "innocent gossip," and "safe premarital sex."
A few years ago, while wandering through a Christian bookstore, I came upon a glass display case with a sign above it that read "Christian Jewelry." I thought to myself, "Now there's another intriguing oxymoron-something like 'Christian rock.'" How can jewelry be Christian when the Bible strongly admonishes believers not to wear it Clearly, "Christian jewelry" is a conflict in terms.
I realize this topic has been hotly debated within recent years, but my purpose is not to pour fuel on the fire. I hope to shed light, not heat. My desire is for people to find their faith and practice in the Word of God. The Scriptures plainly address the subject of a Christian's external appearance and adornment. But unfortunately, many churches are strangely silent on this subject.
Jewelry has been described by some as a small issue. No doubt someone is thinking, "With all the problems in the church, why would you want to focus on something so insignificant and widely accepted" Well, friends, remember that Jesus said, "For that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." Luke 16:15. Often, it is the things that seem small on the surface that have major implications. And I believe this is just such an issue.
There are unseen and subtle dangers connected with the wearing of jewelry. So if you are a converted Christian who seeks to know how to better reflect the Lord in these last days, please keep your mind open as we reason together from the Scriptures.
The Fruit, Not the Root!
The power of the gospel begins on the inside, transforming the heart while unseen by human eyes. But then it continues to flow and seep into every area of the life, producing obvious external changes. Just like a plant, the seed first comes to life below the earth. But if the root is healthy, the plant will soon become visible and bear fruit above ground. Jesus said, "By their fruits ye shall know them." Matthew 7:20.
Notice that He did not say you will know them by their roots that grow underground. He said the fruit, not the root! Therefore, we are commanded to be aware of the external, visible evidence of our faith.
When a person accepts Christ as Lord, the Holy Spirit begins impressing that individual to make dramatic adjustments. There will often be changes in what appears on the table during dinner and on the television after supper. (In fact, He may lead some to get rid of the television altogether.) From the bookshelf to the closet, Jesus will penetrate the whole life. When He is in the heart, He influences every other area.
This is a basic teaching of Christianity. The apostle Paul warned Titus of those who "profess that they know God; but in works they deny him." Titus 1:16. And James is crystal clear that a relationship rooted in Jesus will produce external evidence. "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." James 2:18. You can't be a Christian in your heart without it showing on the outside.
God's Ambassadors
We, the Church, are the hands and feet, the eyes and mouth, and yes, even the ears of Jesus in the world today. We are the Body of Christ. Our Lord said, "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." John 20:21.
We have been sent into the world to demonstrate who Jesus is and what He is like. Through the Holy Spirit we become His representatives-to reflect His image in everything from the way we talk and work to the way we eat and dress. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, God says that "we all ... are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
A few years ago, shameful scandals surrounded several well-known television evangelists in North America. Those opposed to Christianity rejoiced, mocking the immorality and hypocrisy exhibited in the lives of these men and their wives who professed to speak for Jesus. During this tragic time, the secular media often made reference to their flamboyant dress and gaudy jewelry as proof that these professed Christians were not genuine. These inconsistant TV preachers even inspired one famous musician to write a popular song entitled "Would Jesus Wear a Rolex" I'm sure angels wept as Christian leaders, due to their immodest appearance, became a deserving target for the lost. It is a sad day indeed when Christians win the medal for opulent external adornment!
Wearing Our Wealth
Let's take a look at the origin of jewelry. God made all of the gold, silver, and precious jewels in the world, and He intended for them to have a practical use. Since even small amounts of these minerals are so rare and valuable, long ago they began to be used as money.
Over time, people began wearing their money in order to impress others with their wealth. When shoppers went to the market to buy an expensive item, they would simply pull off one of their rings or bracelets to pay.
After Rebecca had watered the camels for Abraham's servant, the Bible says that he paid her in this way. "And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold." Genesis 24:22.
When the children of Israel brought an offering to the Lord to build the tabernacle, they used the jewels they had received from the Egyptians. It was their money. "And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the Lord." Exodus 35:22.
There is obviously nothing wrong with having money. But the question is, does God want Christians to wear their wealth for all to see Of course not. "The love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith." 1 Timothy 6:10. Since it is a sin to covet, why would you want to entice a brother or sister to covet your money by wearing it for all to see What could possibly be the motive for a Christian to do this?
The reason gold and jewels are so valuable is that they are rare and expensive to mine from the earth. Angels must marvel when they see us put on jewelry to signify value and wealth. In heaven, gold is used for pavement, and diamonds are the stones that form the walls of its mansions! Just think of it. From heaven's perspective, gold is asphalt and diamonds are blocks! How silly it must appear to heavenly beings when we dangle asphalt and bricks on our ears and wrap them around our fingers. Wouldn't you look twice if someone walked into your church next week wearing a black asphalt pendant and a matching tar ring?
In evangelism, I've met many sincere people who had attended the popular churches in their towns only to turn away disappointed because they discerned a spirit of pride and display among the members. These genuine seekers of God entered the sanctuary hoping to find a church home, but instead they found extravagance with which they could not compete.
How happy I've been to offer them a church where the wealthy and the poor choose not to parade their status by wearing fancy clothing and jewelry. These individuals have been thrilled to worship where they don't feel that they're looked down on if they don't wear the latest fashions. I hope that my church will always stay with the Bible truth on this subject. We have too much to lose otherwise.
Justified Jewelry
Those who seek to justify the wearing of jewelry usually point to Bible stories in which God's children wore gold, silver, or jewels. For example, the Scriptures report with no comment that Joseph wore a ring and "a gold chain about his neck" (Genesis 41:42), that Saul wore a bracelet (2 Samuel 1:10), that Mordecai was given a ring by Ahasuerus (Esther 8:2), and that King Belshazzar gave Daniel a scarlet robe and "put a chain of gold about his neck" (Daniel 5:29).
But, remember, just because we see something done in Bible times does not mean that God condoned it. The Scriptures simply record a faithful history of God's people-including all their failures. Noah drank wine and became drunk (Genesis 9:20, 21). Lot had sex with his daughters and got them pregnant (Genesis 19:30-38).
Judah hired a prostitute for a night, impregnated her, and later discovered she was his daughter-in-law (Genesis 38:12-26). We cannot assume that God condones such unsavory practices just because these incidents were mentioned in the Bible. Other passages of Scripture clearly tell us that God condemns alcohol, incest, prostitution, and jewelry as anti-productive to accomplishing His purposes for humanity.
One story that is often cited to justify jewelry is that of the prodigal son. Since the father "put a ring on his hand," some say that we can assume God wants us to wear jewelry. Obviously, as we've just seen, this parable is not an inspired comment on whether Christians should wear rings. Furthermore, the ring the father gave his son was most likely a signet ring. Signet rings contained the family seal. People used them to press this unique seal onto official documents. It was the family's signature. Rather than an ornament for display, signet rings were a tool for officiating documents and were usually worn on the index finger.
Before the prodigal son left home, he asked his father for his share of the inheritance. Once he received his money and goods, he left home to spend it all on "riotous living." Luke 15:13. Out of money and destitute, the foolish prodigal later found himself flat broke, hungry, and poorly clad. In desperation he returned home, trusting in the goodness of his father to at least take him in as a servant. The prodigal felt that he no longer deserved to be a son, since he had squandered half of his father's hard-earned savings.
But instead of rejection, his father showed him unlimited acceptance. He replaced the prodigal's rags with a comfortable and clean robe and put shoes on his bare feet. He filled his son's empty stomach with a feast. And to the son who just wasted his riches, this father gave the signet ring-the family checkbook- with free access to his remaining fortune.
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Next: part 2 to follow; "Why Be a Stumbling Block"
Your brother in Christ,
Doc