the Gift of Clothes
Genesis 3:20-21
“And the Lord God made garments of skins for the man and for his wife and clothed them.” v. 21
Even when Adam and Eve have rebelled against God, been found out, and banished from the garden, the LORD GOD, doesn’t stop caring for them. They aren’t sent packing from the Garden of Eden with nothing. God provides these “garments of skins.”
The author of these first stories believes in a generous God. A God who not only provides the basics that allow people to survive, but a God who goes beyond the basics as well. Clothes are a gift from God.
While there may be a few people in equatorial regions who can do without clothing, most of us need clothes. We need them not just out of modesty, but because they help us to live well. Clothes insulate us against the cold and against the heat of the sun. Notwithstanding the shirtless construction worker or the pool lifeguard, clothes are essential to our well- being.
We do take this gift for granted and often fail to see them as a divine gift. We say we manufacture our own clothes, grow the crops that produce the cotton or soybeans or flax, or collect the oil that produces polyester. We shepherd the sheep for their wool. We husband the worms that produce the silk we use in fine garments. Cattle become belts and shoes and leather coats, and other animal skins provide the fur that produces coats for our bodies. So, we take dubious credit for clothes.
We also tend to abuse this gift. We fill our closets and our dresser drawers until they overflow. We cater to a fashion industry that tells us what is now, what is in style and what is out. Pant legs widen and narrow, skirts rise and fall, necklines and backs plunge or rise. Ties come and go, scarves are so last year, hats are a must or are seen as ridiculous.
Clothes are a gift—a gift of God. We do well to give God thanks for clothes.
Pray: God who clothes the world in beauty, you clothed Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden in their time of need. You provide shelter in times of storm and cover from the burning heat. We give thanks for clothing and shelter. Amen.
Fast: From buying any new clothes this week.
Act: Purchase new underwear and socks for homeless students
OR set aside $1 for the ELCA World Hunger Appeal.
...the least of these... 