Does “looking good pay off?” Researchers of the University of Pittsburg’s Graduate School of Business thinks so. They found that “good-looking men and women make more money than less attractive ones.” Their study showed that “handsome men get higher starting salaries, and both women and men who look good make more once hired.” That may not be news to you, but I’m reminded that at least one relationship where people who aren’t handsome or beautiful aren’t at a disadvantage, and that’s with God. You see, God impartially judges people on the basis of their heart, and not mere outward appearance.

 

In 1 Samuel 16, God sent the prophet Samuel to a man’s house to anoint a future king. When Samuel saw one of the man’s sons, he was convinced he was the one God had picked. But of that one God said: “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16: 7). Of course, God’s pick was the shepherd, David. When the world looked at David they saw a shepherd, but God saw a king. (Psa. 24: 3-4). Of Christ also it is said: “There was nothing beautiful or majestic about His appearance, nothing to attract us to Him.” (Isa. 53: 2).

 

Well. That’s good news for a lot of us, isn’t it? We may be at a disadvantage in the business world, but, if our hearts are right, we’re not at a disadvantage with God. Our inner appearance matters to God. We need to accessorize our inner character, and not just the outer attire! (1 Pet. 3: 3-4). Of course, the Bible doesn’t teach people to look sloppy and be immodest, which is becoming more the norm today. (1 Tim. 2: 9-10).

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And so, no doubt we should do the best we can with what we’ve got. Henry Ward Beecher said: “Clothes and manners do not make the man; but when he is made, they greatly improve his appearance.” Therefore, it is comforting to know that our worth with God doesn’t depend on how we look on the outside, but on what we really are on the inside! Think on these things.

 

Dennis Abernathy