If you stand in front of your closet and open it you will see yourself in the clothes that are hung there or are piled there: the dress that everyone comple­ments you on, the colourful vest that makes you appear younger, that expensive brand-name pair of jeans. But also those shoes that you got on sale that you've hardly worn, the shirt that no longer fits so well. If your closet is full then you are rich. You can afford to keep buying new clothes (and get rid of the old clothes). Perhaps clothing is a status symbol for you. If your closet is almost empty then you are poor and it may not be possible to buy something new. Maybe you receive worn clothing and used shoes from family or friends.

How full is your closet? Chock full? Could you do without something? What could you give away? Do you want to think about that? That is allowed. But would you be willing to consider this from the point of view a poor person? For wear­ing clothes that someone else has thrown out gives one the feeling of being second class. If you look at your closet from the point of view of the poor then you may feel compelled to give away your best clothes. Only the clothes in which you want to be seen are worthy to be worn by others. Are you of the generation that had to wear the dresses of your older sister? Or the pants of your big brother — the pants that first were shorten with a huge hem? And then hope that your classmates do not recognize the dress of your older sister or the pants of your big brother. Imagine the embarrassment of it. Are you of that generation? Then you know that feeling of being second hand and second class...

The Fourth Work of Mercy⤒🔗

Clothing makes up the fourth "work of mercy" ac­cording to the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46 "I needed clothes and you clothed me" (25:36a). But also "I needed clothes and you did not clothe me" (25:43b). Basic mercy begins with giving food, relieving thirst and offering shelter. But it also involves clothing those who have no clothes.

Jesus urges his followers to remain involved with mercy. If you don't then you will fall short and stand with empty hands on the day of the (last) judgment. Mercy begins with simple things: food and drink, shelter and clothing, care for the sick and imprisoned (and dying).

However it also entails clothing those who are naked (without clothing) and who therefore feel vulnerable.

Clothing←⤒🔗

Clothing is important. Like food, drink and shelter, clothing is a basic necessity for us people. What purpose does clothing have?

1. Protection – Clothing offers protection from the heat of summer, the cold of winter and against the rain. You can imagine it by looking at all those jackets, rain pants, hats and caps, as well as T-shirts. Clothing also protects us from dan­gers that we sometimes are exposed to when we participate in various activities: a bullet resistant vest or a hard hat. However above all clothing protects us from our nakedness. Because you are wearing clothes no one can see your body. It is better not to have unwanted stares. Clothing protects us from our own shame.
    
2. Identity – Clothing also gives us an identity. They let people see who we are. Clothing is a means for us to become known, to show some­thing of ourselves. Some people chose certain clothes because that goes with the group they associate with. In that case the group identity is more important than your own identity. A uniform creates uniformity and suppresses the personal identity of people. In contrast your own choice of clothing shows who you are. In addition clothing often shows how we feel; festive clothes show joyfulness, and mourning clothing shows sadness. We select clothing ap­propriate for the occasion.

Worth←⤒🔗

In the Bible we clearly see the different functions of cloth­ing. Is it not true that the Bible teaches us about these func­tions?

1. Protection – The creation story ends with the account that Adam and Eve were naked but were not ashamed before each other (Genesis 2:25). Nakedness only becomes shameful when man sinned and wanted to cover himself on account of his nakedness (3:7). However God came to man's aid (3:21): "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." In the giving of the law of the Old Testament there is a provision that the lender of the coat of a poor person must return the coat to the poor person who has pawned it "by sunset ... so that he may sleep in it and thank you". (Deut. 24:13) "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear" Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:25). However, do we not need food, drink and clothing? Of course. Jesus says the same "your heavenly Father knows that you need them" (Matt. 6:32). The necessity of food, drink and protection by clothing is not under discussion; it is obvious. But those who go deeper must ask about their trust in God.
    
2. Identity – The Bible indicates that clothing is far more then "that what you put on". Cloth­ing is tied to the person, his identity, and his dignity. Isn't John the Baptist described by the clothing that demonstrates his conversion? "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same" (Luke 3:11). Clothing shows who you are. Linen clothes show that you are a priest. Rough cloaks show that you are a prophet. Fine quality clothing show that you are a king. Joseph receives identity through his richly ornamented robe given to him by his father Jacob (Genesis 37:3). We read about people tearing their clothes because of grief and sitting in sackcloth and ashes. Clothing also shows how we feel.

Getting Dressed←⤒🔗

Clothing the naked. How does one do that? First of all you must know where to find people with little or no clothes. Undoubtedly one can find these people far away in the Third World. But they also live close by in our cities and streets: seniors, single parent families, people in debt, refugees and asylum seekers and the homeless.

Next, thought must be given to what is the best way to clothe people in each different situation. There are different ways: people can help people to buy clothes or to make their own or to make clothing available.

You need to think about what you will do with used clothing, because clothes that were fashion­able this year are no longer worn a year later. In this way a situation develops where you have a considerable wardrobe of clothes that you don't wear any longer. You can put these clothes in the garbage, but no one is helped this way (not even the environment). You can also put used clothes in the clothes bins of the Salvation Army, or you can make use of organizations who pick up clothes. Such clothing collections are made regularly. You receive a notice in your mailbox, often together with a plastic bag. You only need to fill it with used clothing and set it by the street. Often there is a commercial aspect to these types of clothing collections.

It appears that the collecting and reselling of used clothing has become a trade where people earn an income and the profits do not end up with the poor in the Second and Third World. Furthermore, it appears that our used clothes are transported and dumped on the African market with the consequence that jobs are lost because small business people cannot pos­sible compete with the massive export (= import?) of used clothing.¹

It is therefore important to organize clothing col­lection in such a way that the relevant target group (perhaps East Europe) itself can organize the distribution. It is recommended that such a clothing collection be part of existing contacts with Chris­tians in foreign countries. Attention must be paid to the following important points:

1. Equality and mutuality. Ownership (of cloth­ing) means power, and power can lead to inequality in relationships. On the other hand it is true that those who are helped must also be prepared also to receive help. The poor can share their trust in God with us and be an example of this for us.
    
2. Consequences for the local labour market. Regular clothing distribution must not result in a loss of jobs in the local market.

The More Tangible the Better←⤒🔗

Following the path of Christ the diaconal congrega­tion will concern itself with clothing, clothing for those who have little or no clothing in their lives.

I will list three concrete possibilities for clothing projects.

1. Clothing Collections – A Christian community will do well to ensure that cloth­ing reaches the place where people need it. It is necessary to receive guarantees that the clothing indeed reaches the targeted group.
    
2. Second Hand Store – Christians can try to set up a second-hand store. The advantage of such a project is that a local society is involved, the recycling of clothing is stimulated (less clothing is good for the environment) and that affordable clothing becomes available.
    
3. Clothing Exchange and Fashion Show – In some families it is customary to exchange or pass on clothing. Also in the church community it is possible to organize a clothing exchange in order to give those on a tight budget the possi­bility of buying affordable clothing (and to give the opportunity to people with lots of clothes to pass some on). Such a clothing exchange can be enhanced by turning it into a fashion show of second-hand clothing.