OUR FATHER WHO COUNSELS US TO INVEST IN ETERNAL THINGS

1 Timothy chapter 2 verses 9 - 10 says this;

I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

This passage is part of a letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy to instruct him on how to be a watchful and faithful leader in the church.

Regarding how church members conducted themselves, Paul wanted Timothy the exhort the women to dress modestly and to avoid adorning themselves with elaborate hairstyles, jewelry and clothing but rather with good deeds.

To my eye, this exhortation is good advice for both men and women to follow but whereas this passage is often read as a doctrine of the virtue of plainness and modesty, it should instead be seen as a call to heed the words of the Lord Jesus found in Mathew chapter 6 verses 19 - 21 which read this way;

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The physical adornment mentioned in Paul's letter specifically references the high cost of hair styling, gold, pearls and expensive clothes. 

These costly items and treatments consume our treasure on earth and expends them on things that are temporal and which will ultimately be forgotten.

Jesus's counsel is to take money that would have been used on fasion expenditures and invest it in things like giving to the poor of which Proverbs chapter 19 verse 17 says, "Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done." 

Such investments with the Lord can be laid up in heaven and it is good counsel to invest in that which is eternal rather than in that which is passing away.

Amen.