What do you think? What do people say about this? Like, say, if someone wants to buy an ornate cross necklace or something? Is this hypocritical or just an (expensive) expression of faith? I am wondering this for myself as well. Thanks.
wearing expensive Christian jewlery
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Goodbook
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well I know what Paul in the bible says about expensive jewellery (or as KJV puts it, costly array) in 1 Timothy 2:9
Personally I cannot afford bling like that and don't wear jewellery as a rule as I don't really like having chains around my neck etc. I don't have my ears pierced because last time I had it done my ears got infected. I only did it because a friend suggested it. But I actually didn't want it done. I wouldn't have done it on my own. I tend to lose jewellery!
I notice many christian ladies if they do wear jewellery will wear a simple gold cross, usually given to them by someone else. Or just a wedding ring.
Having said that Jesus did say that the kingdom of God is like a pearl of great price that you would give up everything to buy. And of course, the new Jerusalem has many precious stones described in Revelation.
Personally I cannot afford bling like that and don't wear jewellery as a rule as I don't really like having chains around my neck etc. I don't have my ears pierced because last time I had it done my ears got infected. I only did it because a friend suggested it. But I actually didn't want it done. I wouldn't have done it on my own. I tend to lose jewellery!
I notice many christian ladies if they do wear jewellery will wear a simple gold cross, usually given to them by someone else. Or just a wedding ring.
Having said that Jesus did say that the kingdom of God is like a pearl of great price that you would give up everything to buy. And of course, the new Jerusalem has many precious stones described in Revelation.
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Cernunnos
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If my wife is (and she is) like the woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31 . . . why would I not give her the gemstones that hang above the earrings she changes & them as well? Why would I not delight in the glint of the great stone in her engagement ring or the spark in her wedding band? A woman of great worth should be lavished with all manner of adornments, whatever her husband can afford. When I boast of the graciousness of God, I do not talk of how we ate in the thin times . . I boast that God has gotten us through thin times & here is the profit of His faithfulness to us.
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farout
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If you are talking about the crosses Oprah wares. than that is sacrilegious! She is a heathen, and has no business with it on. I hat that kind of BLING!!!
Now I was so proud to buy my wife to be, back in 1968 the best diamond ring I could afford. For us that worked out perfect. I have given her not very expensive ear rings, and necklace's. Everything she wares is modest and she is a beautiful Christian woman. I am sure she has a cross, but seldom wares it. If a woman wants BLING it needs to be modest if you are a Believer.
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Interesting. There is a lot of bling out there, as you may know. It strikes me as not very Christian. I would like a nice and simple (no diamonds or anything) cross to wear regularly and remind me of my faith... maybe. I asked this question because I don't feel right buying one. I do not have much money nor do I wear much jewelry (and only sterling silver at that). My wedding ring was 30 dollars. A truly expensive piece of jewelry would be like.. 100-150. That's really expensive for me. I would kind of feel guilty spending that.
I appreciate the scripture however it seems like a lot of people do not follow this advice when it comes to their jewelry. i don't know. It all seems relative to how much money you have. Anyway, just wanted to know if having something beautiful to express/commemorate your faith is not Christian. Seems more important to focus on inner beauty or virtue and not gold. Still though, there's something about having a nice cross, like a wedding ring, that marks specialness... But yeah, I have a 30 dollar ring, so what am I talking about...
I appreciate the scripture however it seems like a lot of people do not follow this advice when it comes to their jewelry. i don't know. It all seems relative to how much money you have. Anyway, just wanted to know if having something beautiful to express/commemorate your faith is not Christian. Seems more important to focus on inner beauty or virtue and not gold. Still though, there's something about having a nice cross, like a wedding ring, that marks specialness... But yeah, I have a 30 dollar ring, so what am I talking about...
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BFine
Seed Planter
I say buy what you can afford.
Personally...
I like nice jewelry, meaning-- I like
for it to be the real thing...gold, silver,
platinum, diamonds etc...it don't matter
to me if it's "used"...I get the jewelry store
to clean/polish and it looks like a new.
I'd say around 90% of my jewelry was given to
me...I give stuff away and someone gives me
some more...recycling works!
Personally...
I like nice jewelry, meaning-- I like
for it to be the real thing...gold, silver,
platinum, diamonds etc...it don't matter
to me if it's "used"...I get the jewelry store
to clean/polish and it looks like a new.
I'd say around 90% of my jewelry was given to
me...I give stuff away and someone gives me
some more...recycling works!
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Goodbook
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I just want to add if someone gives you a nice piece of jewellery its no sin to wear it. Like if its from your husband!
In the bible one of the prophets talks about the daughters of jerusalem, clothing her in fine linen and giving her jewellery to wear, as an expression of Gods lavish love.
Also when the prodigal son came back, his dad gave him a ring to wear.
I dont tend to buy jewellery for myself, although i know some women that do...i think maybe check your heart if you are coveting things you cant afford and just going by appearances. Again the harlot of babylon was richly adorned, but I think it was because she used her wealth to entice men. Christian women are called to be modest and adorned with their good works, which is what people see instead of finery and frippery. Or bling.
In the bible one of the prophets talks about the daughters of jerusalem, clothing her in fine linen and giving her jewellery to wear, as an expression of Gods lavish love.
Also when the prodigal son came back, his dad gave him a ring to wear.
I dont tend to buy jewellery for myself, although i know some women that do...i think maybe check your heart if you are coveting things you cant afford and just going by appearances. Again the harlot of babylon was richly adorned, but I think it was because she used her wealth to entice men. Christian women are called to be modest and adorned with their good works, which is what people see instead of finery and frippery. Or bling.
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Horseless Headsman
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Lay up for yourself treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust can destroy, and where thieves can't break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there also your heart will be.
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dhh712
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I take my perspective on jewelry from the Bible: that women should not adorn themselves with pearls, gold or costly apparel but rather with good works (1Tim . This far exceeds any loveliness a piece of jewelry can impart to them.
Therefore I really do think such a thing as wearing an expensive cross is a good expression of faith at all--signs and symbols do very poorly to express our faith. My fiancé told me of a Christian (I think it was Luther but can't remember for sure) who answered a newly converted man that asked him a question along the lines of, "What should I do now that I'm a Christian?". After finding out his occupation, he answered him, "Make a good shoe and sell it at a fair price." What I mean to express by this story is that it's not very telling to set up signs and stuff declaring to others "I'm a Christian" if you've got no acts to back it up. Someone can say all day, "I'm a real estate agent." But do they engage in the work of selling houses? People can say and set up signs telling others all they want about themselves. It's not going to be very effective however unless you prove it by your actions.
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Goodbook
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In heaven we will be given crowns of glory as a reward for our good works we have done on earth.
For a woman, it does say in the bible that long hair is a glory for her.
I dont think it says anything about wearing crosses, only in the spiritual sense, taking up our cross. But think on what that meant, the cross was an instrument of torture. Jesus had to carry it all the way to golgotha or calvary. It wasnt a pretty thing. It was made of wood and probably very heavy!!
For a woman, it does say in the bible that long hair is a glory for her.
I dont think it says anything about wearing crosses, only in the spiritual sense, taking up our cross. But think on what that meant, the cross was an instrument of torture. Jesus had to carry it all the way to golgotha or calvary. It wasnt a pretty thing. It was made of wood and probably very heavy!!
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TheyCallMeDave
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YOU have to decide what it means FOR YOU. If its to be showy , pretentious, and an obsession then its wrong. If its to reflect your Saviours goodness, presence, and relationship with you and has not become an idol, then it is appropriate and a neutral issue as found in the freedom of Christ.
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Lol. An iron? I dunno about that.
I agree. Before I became Christian I was the sort who would criticize people for wearing showy cross necklaces and behaving no differently then most college aged spring breakers or free love and drug types or whatever... I think I was being a bit too judgemental but overall agree there's a responsibility to live up to if you wear a cross or profess a Christian faith. Honestly, I will never feel worthy of calling myself a Christian (as in, I live up 100 percent to what the Lord commands) but I am committed to walking the path and growing as close as I can. And now that I live in a city wearing a cross isn't really going to impress anyone--likely the opposite. People tend to be very liberal and secular here. Honestly it kind of makes me nervous to think of being open about my faith since many belittle Christians at best, call us bigots at worst.
Thanks. This makes me reflect a bit on my motives which is what I want.
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Extraneous
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Gold was stolen from the Indians. IM no historian and i could be wrong, but i believe that the American Indians were persecuted and robbed of all lands containing gold and silver. Diamond mining oversees is used to fund warlords, death and destruction.
It seems strange that we would use these things to enhance beauty when it causes so much destruction.
It seems strange that we would use these things to enhance beauty when it causes so much destruction.
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seashale76
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People often receive these as gifts. I wear a silver baptismal cross (Orthodox tribar). In Orthodox Christianity it is considered somewhat obligatory to wear them. Some can be quite fancy, but the focus is to hide them under clothing more than showing them off. It is a tradition in our faith that has significance to us- in fact- it's part of canon law.
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I think this hits the nail on the head:
https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-7-conduct-women-church-1-timothy-29-15
"Our grooming and clothing says a lot about our values and the way we think. If a woman dresses in a sensuous manner or if by inordinate attention to grooming she emphasizes external beauty, it reveals that her emphasis is on the superficial and worldly rather than on that which is significant from God’s perspective. Paul’s directive in verse 9 means that Christian women should not dress in a seductive manner nor in a luxurious, fashion-conscious manner that would arouse jealousy on the part of poorer women. Rather, she should put her emphasis on good deeds.
Obviously he is talking about a woman’s appearance not only when she attends church, but at all times. He is not prohibiting a woman from looking attractive, as long as she is not seductive or showy. Nor is he putting an absolute ban on a woman’s braiding her hair or wearing modest jewelry. He’s talking about emphasis. He was correcting women who went to great expense and effort to braid jewels and expensive ornaments into their hair. Their clothing was showy and expensive. Their appearance did not reflect a value system with God at the center nor did it draw you to their godly character. It focused on the external. It was worldly. It was the wrong emphasis. Christian women should be marked by good works."
https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-7-conduct-women-church-1-timothy-29-15
"Our grooming and clothing says a lot about our values and the way we think. If a woman dresses in a sensuous manner or if by inordinate attention to grooming she emphasizes external beauty, it reveals that her emphasis is on the superficial and worldly rather than on that which is significant from God’s perspective. Paul’s directive in verse 9 means that Christian women should not dress in a seductive manner nor in a luxurious, fashion-conscious manner that would arouse jealousy on the part of poorer women. Rather, she should put her emphasis on good deeds.
Obviously he is talking about a woman’s appearance not only when she attends church, but at all times. He is not prohibiting a woman from looking attractive, as long as she is not seductive or showy. Nor is he putting an absolute ban on a woman’s braiding her hair or wearing modest jewelry. He’s talking about emphasis. He was correcting women who went to great expense and effort to braid jewels and expensive ornaments into their hair. Their clothing was showy and expensive. Their appearance did not reflect a value system with God at the center nor did it draw you to their godly character. It focused on the external. It was worldly. It was the wrong emphasis. Christian women should be marked by good works."
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Extraneous
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Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate
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Thanks seashale. I'm being received into the Orthodox Church through chrismation soon. I guess I wanted to hear what others (non Orthodox) thought about this as I have been thinking some about it. I don't know if my sponsor will provide a cross but didn't want to count on it so was considering buying my own. I love this tradition, also think it's interesting to hear others views. But I'm super excited for my chrismation.
I do think this says it all, yes. However I am wary of those who would get too legalistic about what is proper dress and attire. Seems too easy to compete over external shows of piety and leave the insides in disarray. But anyway thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the reminder
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Well as a non orthodox when i see other women wearing a cross, I tend to think they might be catholic or maybe overly religious. But if it is ornate like studded with bling They would be goths, and also wearing black lipstick, nailpolish and eyeshadow that makes them look like theyve been punched in the face.
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