"God doesn't care about outward things, only what is inside a person." This idea, or others similarly expressed, has been bandied about so much through the years that one would think the Bible actually taught it. To say that God cares more about the inward than the outward would come closer to expressing the truth (Hosea 6:6; Matt. 23:25-28) but to infer He cares nothing about the outward is totally wrong. This can be seen in a number of examples:

The Temple And Tabernacle. The careful attention to the outward details of the tabernacle (Ex. 25-27, 35-38) and temple (2 Chron. 3-4) says that God wanted nothing but the very best possible outward appearance for the place where He would meet the priests.

Observations----While certainly not suggesting either the building of elaborate, ornate, costly edifices in which to assemble, or that God meets us only in our "church buildings", do not these instructions suggest a principle? If we are going to erect a "church building" and put a sign out front identifying us with the Lord, should we not take pride in whatever that edifice might be? Sloppy, unkempt buildings---inside or out---send a message, and not a good one, to the public. God cared about the way the temple and tabernacle looked outwardly; it mattered. The way our places of assembly look should matter to us also.

Corinthian Assemblies. Paul asked the Corinthians, "If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad?" 1 Cor. 14:23. "Outsiders" might say the Corinthians were "crazy" and the charge would be untrue, but that was the impression that might be left because of their raucous assemblies and Paul wrote in order to correct any conduct that might leave such an impression. His later instruction, "let all things be done decently and in order" (14:40), seems to definitely say that God is concerned over the way things appear outwardly in our assemblies.

Observations----Does the way we conduct ourselves in our assemblies matter to God, or does he care only about what's in our heart? Certainly---to some extent at least---what others think of our assemblies ought to matter to us. From the way we conduct ourselves in the pew, to the way we lead singing, make announcements, lead prayer, read scripture, or "wait on the table", it ought to concern us what impressions are being left on visitors. What we say and do---and how we say and do it---ought to say to them, "this is important to me and I'm doing the very best I can because it is service rendered to God." While we can be guilty of giving too much attention to this area and turn assemblies into cold, overly-formal rituals, we can also be guilty of paying too little notice, resulting in Corinthian-like assemblies which leave visitors wondering about us. Outward appearances in our assemblies matter to God and should to us.

Solomon's Instructions. In Ecc. 9:8, the wise man makes it clear that the dress of God's people was to reflect happiness, not dissatisfaction, with life. Apparel that sent a social message did not favorably impress God. A curious statement if His concern is only with the inward.

Isaiah's Lengthy Denunciation. In 3:16-26 of this great prophet's book, the Lord said the outward apparel (and nothing in context suggests limiting application to sexually immodest apparel) of the women was a major concern and reflected a condition of heart that was bothersome. Why would this be so since God only cares for what's on the inside?

Observations----We "make a statement", and not just a fashion one, by the way we dress on a regular basis. If not, it's difficult to explain these remarks by Solomon and Isaiah. It's unwise for Christians to be on the "cutting edge" of every fashion trend that comes along and for parents to allow, if not encourage, such in children. Sometimes such dress styles are intended by their designers to "send a message" which is not always one that a Christian should be identified with. Frequently, dress styles are blatantly immodest, others "border line", and a Christian should avoid either. Other styles might identify one with segments of society [gangs, rock groups, e.g.] that don't have the best reputations. Some, such as "T" shirts, literally send messages, many of which are vulgar at worst or suggestive at best or perhaps identify the wearer with practices or organizations that are contrary to biblical principles. Why would a servant of Jesus want to be associated with such? Just as our language says something about our character, so does our dress. Just as it matters what words come out of our mouths it likewise matters what clothing we wear and the impressions that are left by either.

The Dress Of The Priests. If the inward is the only thing God cares about, His instructions regarding the outward apparel of the priests in Ex. 28-29,39 seems rather strange.

Observations----Does it matter what we look like when we assemble to worship God, or does God care only for our attitude of heart? While one is certainly more important than the other, it's difficult to deny that at one time God cared much about how his priests looked. As we are not suggesting ornate buildings, cold assemblies, or every-day dress that ignores all current fashion, neither are we implying that we impose a "suit and tie" dress code for the men and a "dresses only" standard for the women at our assemblies. But let's be careful that casual doesn't give way to sloppy and grungy when we assemble. And a special word to the men. Can't we be a bit more careful about the way we look when we are going to participate in some public way---especially on Sunday morning? If we'd "dress up" for a funeral, a wedding, or the senior banquet, why "dress down" when we come to serve God on the Lord's Day (the reason and justification for this analogy will be seen shortly)? Come dressed in such a way that, if needed to wait on the table, lead singing, lead prayer, make announcements or read scripture, we'd look more like we have come to worship God than engage in more trivial activities.

The Sacrifices In Malachi's Day. Please see Malachi 1:6-14. There were a number of problems in Malachi's day, one of which was with the people giving God less than the best in regard to the things they brought for sacrifice and seeing nothing wrong with it. Perhaps they thought God didn't care about outward details, only what was on the inside. Whatever, God, through Malachi, let it be known rather clearly that He didn't like the second-best. God didn't want lame, blind, sick animals; he wanted the best the people had to offer (Lev. 22:17 ff.; Deut. 15:21). If God doesn't care at all about outward things, His concern over the way the animals looked seems difficult to explain.

Observations----Would we do in other areas of life what we do in our service to God? In vs. 8 Malachi makes an analogy: "Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?" In other words, if second-best is good enough for the Lord, try that on your earthly masters. And herein lies the reason and justification for some analogies: If, when trying to make a good impression on a potential employer or client, a prospective mate, or when attending weddings and funerals, would we dress in the same ways we do when we assemble to worship? Do we see to it that we act appropriately and that our children don't distract at weddings and funerals but then settle for less at worship assemblies? Are we content to maintain fine homes and care nothing for the place of our public worship (Hag. 1:2-4)? These questions can't be either ignored or brushed aside in view of the passages we've examined.

Does God care for "the way things look"? Absolutely. In our private lives or in our public assemblies God wants something special in various "outward" areas---just as in Malachi's day---and will be satisfied with nothing less.