Question:
It appears when reading the Bible that in ancient times the wearing of jewelry was approved. The children of Israel had many jewels and wore earrings. Abraham’s servant, Eliezer, brought gifts of jewelry to Rebekah and her family when choosing her as a wife for Isaac. Why then is it objectionable for a Christian to wear jewelry?
Answer:
Ezekiel 28 describes Satan in heaven before his fall. He was decked in jewels. In fact, it says that every precious stone was his covering: diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires, just to name a few.
In Revelation, chapter 21, is a description of the Holy City. It is called a city of gold; the walls are jasper with all manner of precious stones, and the gates are made of pearl. God, who is a God of beauty, loves beautiful stones and jewelry. This little quotation might put jewelry in its right perspective:
“God would have his children appreciate his works, and delight in the simple, quiet beauty with which he has adorned our earthly home. He is a lover of the beautiful, and above all that is outwardly attractive he loves beauty of character; he would have us cultivate purity and simplicity, the quiet graces of the flowers.” Christian Education, 54.
This world has been inundated with sin, and one of the chief sins is pride, which was the original sin that caused Satan to fall. God hates pride, for He says, “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” Malachi 4:1.
All the proud are going to be done away with, root and branch. Since jewelry has a tendency to draw people’s attention, it also causes one to be proud. Pride has to be overcome and a character of humility developed—one that thinks of others before themselves, one that would attract people to Jesus and not to their own person decked in jewelry.
“The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, and being clothed with humility, possessing that love that is pure, peaceable, and easy to be entreated, full of gentleness and good fruits, is not an easy attainment.” Gospel Workers, 376.
This is a battle that each one of us must fight, and if we are going to be ready for heaven we must not only fight, but we must win. Therefore, we need to follow the instructions that the apostle Paul gave us in Hebrews, which says, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1, 2.
We have this admonition, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.” I Timothy 2:9.
Heaven is worth everything; if we lose it, we lose all, and if we gain it, we will gain all. Is it not worth striving for? It will take all to gain a character that will fit in there, but it will be more than worth it.
Consider what Jesus gave up for us. Those who are saved will be walking on streets of gold.
If you have a Bible question you wish to have answered, please e-mail it to: ruthgrosboll@stepstolife.org.