One Sunday morning an old man entered a church just before services were to begin.
Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore shirt and pants that were very worn and ragged.
In his hand he carried a worn out old hat and an equally worn out Bible.
The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city.
It was the largest and most beautiful church the old man had ever seen.
The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and accessories.
As the old man took a seat, the others moved away from him.
No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him.
They were all appalled at his appearance and did not attempt to hide it.
As the old man was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked the man to do him a favor.
“Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God, and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worship.”
The old man assured the preacher he would.
The next Sunday, he showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged clothes.
Once again he was completely shunned and ignored.
The preacher again approached the man and said,
“I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church.”
“I did,” replied the old man with a smile.
“If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be for worshiping in here?” asked the preacher.
“Well, sir, God told me that He didn’t have a clue what I should wear. He said He’d never been in this church.”