Jumpstarter 7 of 10

Ideas to help restart your discussion

Question 7

Wesley distinguishes “slovenliness” from Christian plainness, insisting on neatness and cleanliness while rejecting “gold or pearls or costly array”; what would a genuinely “neat but plain and cheap” standard look like in your social setting today, and what practical difficulties or hypocrisies would it expose in your own habits?

Another way to ask: What would “neat, clean, but plain and cheap” clothing look like in your world today? What problems or double standards would that expose in your own habits?

Direct Answer From the transcript, “neat but plain and cheap” means clean, orderly, and modest clothing that avoids costly fashion, status signaling, and waste—freeing money for good works. In many modern settings, this would expose how much we dress to match our income group, impress others, or justify spending by saying, “I can afford it.”

Support from Transcript:

Wesley clarifies: “slovenliness is no part of Christianity,” and Scripture does not condemn “neatness of apparel.”
He calls cleanliness a duty: “Cleanliness is indeed next to godliness,” and people should avoid making “the good… evil spoken of.”
His target is “gold or pearls or costly array,” “gay or costly apparel,” and fashion that gives “a bold, immodest look.”
He repeatedly demands consistency: “Let your dress be cheap as well as plain… Otherwise you do but trifle with God.”
He criticizes dressing like peers: “Do you not still dress like other people of your same income?” and growing “finer as fast as you’ve grown richer.”

Discussion Follow-ups What item in your closet most clearly exists to project rank or taste rather than meet need—and what would Wesley say it is costing the poor?

Jumpstarter 7 of 10

Add your phone number?

Thank you!

Jumpstarter 7 of 10