Hey Everyone,
I was debating on whether to post this in Singles or the Family Forum, because I'd really like to hear answers from a variety of people -- married, single and looking, or single and content.
"How Much Time, Effort, and Money Do We Put into a Body That's Dying Anyway?" is a subject that has an inumerable amount of angles, and is something I contemplate more and more as I get older. Where is the line between taking Godly care of our bodies, and just plain vanity?
I think there's an added curve thrown in when you're single and still have a hope of possibly meeting someone. Let's be honest -- if you're single and hoping to attract a spouse, looks do matter -- sometimes ESPECIALLY to Christians, because they are told God only wants THE BEST for them (and for many, they believe that includes looks.) As for myself, I can only work on me to the best of what God enables me, and if it's God's will, maybe meet someone else who is doing the same.
One thing I ponder is if I encounter health problems in the future (though I try to be proactive in staying healthy,) my decisions of which treatments, or whether I have any at all, would all depend on my situation, budget, and how it would affect my family. We could go down the most serious rabbit holes like cancer or chronic illness, but I wanted to present an example of something I recently observed.
I know someone who recently had to have a tooth pulled and decided not to replace it. It was towards the middle of the mouth, didn't show, and wasn't going to cause any problems if left unfilled. This person has been married for many decades, so I don't know if they would have chosen to save up to replace it if it was visible (and would have been considered unattractive to their spouse.)
Now of course, in today's economy, it might be impossible to save up for that kind of work.
But I couldn't help contemplating what I would do if I were in this situation, because, as the title says, I often wonder where the line is between God's command to care for our bodies -- and just being vain.
After all, this body is already dying, and it could be argued that the money used to replace a tooth could be given to the church or a Godly charity instead.
We all know the story of the woman who anointed Jesus with the perfume that cost a year's wages, and how Judas, his betrayer said, "What a waste! This could have been sold and given to the poor!" (John 12:5) But we also know that in this situation, serving Jesus was of utmost priority.
I'm certainly not someone special or important -- just your average everyday sinner -- but for whatever reason, Judas' words have alway stuck with me my entire life -- "Couldn't this money be used to help others, rather than to feed my own vanity?" And it's something I contemplate through many of my own self-care decisions.
Where do YOU feel the line is? Let's say that you lost a tooth and had or could save up the money -- would you choose to replace it?
* Does it matter if it's visible or not visible? What if people would see a big gap when you talk or smile? What if it would be far enough back that it was hidden and couldn't be easily seen?
* Let's say the gap would be visible and very noticeable.
* Would it matter more if you were married and your spouse would be looking at it all the time?
* Would it matter more if you were single and trying to attract a spouse?
* Would it matter any less if you were alone, happy with being alone, and saw yourself as always being alone?
*If the gap would be in the back, where no one could see, and wouldn't cause any problems -- would you leave the gap, or still get a crown? Would any of the above factors (married, single but looking, lifetime single) affect your decision if the gap couldn't be seen?
* If the gap WAS NOT visible, would it be better to give the money to church/charity rather than spending it on a crown?
* If the gap WAS visible, would you still be willing to give the money away instead of getting it filled?
After all, how much do we spend on a body that's steadily dying anyway?
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