The Value of Having a Good Name (Proverbs 22:1)
Proverbs 22:1, A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
On March 5, 2005, German long jumper Bianca Kappler created a stir in the world of indoor track and field. During the 28th European Indoor Athletics Championships in Madrid Spain's Palacio of Deportes pavilion, she refused the gold medal award. Kappler's final jump was measured at 22 feet, 10 inches. The next best contender was Naide Gomes of Portugal. Gomes' jump of 21 feet, 11 inches made her a distant second. However, when Kappler was handed the gold, she promptly handed it back, saying, "I know I can't jump that far." Kappler's other jumps were 21-11/2, 21-51/4 and 21-31/4. When officials asked her to reconsider or take a final jump the next day, Kappler declined. She insisted that her best jumps were nearly a foot shorter than that "medal-winning" effort. Judges concluded her jump must have been measured incorrectly and gave the gold medal to Naide Gomes. Kappler ended up with a share of the bronze medal, prompting several newspapers to dub her "the world's most honest athlete." The International Olympic Committee President sent a letter to Bianca Kappler to congratulate her on this gesture.
Elbert Green Hubbard said, “Many a man's reputation would not know his character if they met on the street”. It may be hard for some to believe, but a good name and the favor of one’s community are more worth having than wealth. Your name represents you, your life, and who you are. It speaks of the work you do and how you do it. Those who follow wisdom win in the eyes of God and others (Proverbs 3:4). When your name is mentioned, people immediately think of something. We make our name good or bad. It is our decision. A good name speaks of your reputation and the character or the true person you are when no one else is around. A good name speaks of a person’s reputation, standing, status, honor, prestige, fame. You may often here when describing a person with character as "he or she has got a name" "his or her name is esteemed high" or "he or she is a person of good standing and reputation”.
The honor of a good name has more value than great wealth. Character will support a person regardless of the severity or sum of the circumstance. There are many rich people that have no respect or value to their name. The word of the person of character will go farther than all their riches. It means behaving in such a way that we cannot be reproached for inconsistency in our conduct (II Corinthians 8:21; I Timothy 3:2,7). II Corinthians 8:21, Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. I Timothy 3:2, A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; I Timothy 3:7, Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
As Christians, we are ambassadors for Christ. Since we represent Him, we should be concerned about upholding the Lord’s good name. We must be seen to be honest in the way we make it and wise in the way we make use of it. As Christians we bear Christ's name and His reputation is linked with ours; people may judge Him by us (Romans 2:24; II Thessalonians 1:12). Romans 2:24, For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. II Thessalonians 1:12, That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. When your strength of character is to resist compromise, this will honor the Lord in such a way for Him to bless you and those to whom you inspire and impact (Psalm 112:1–3, 6–7). Psalm 112:1, Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. 2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. 6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
One’s reputation is better that great wealth. The importance of maintaining integrity is beyond and financial price. A good name is more valuable than riches, because it can’t be bought with money. It has to be earned moment by moment, day by day, decision by decision. Having a good name means living in a way that earns the trust of others. It means demonstrating integrity that people can depend on. Maintaining a good name doesn’t mean that you are perfect, but when you make mistakes, you learn from them and do what you can to make things right. Erwin W. Lutzer said, “When we try to polish our reputation, we lose it; when we give it to Christ, we gain it”.
A person of character is the same person whether in the dark as in the light. There is no discrepancy between what a person of integrity appears to be on the outside and what he or she is on the inside. For the Christian specifically, integrity means we live according to what we say we believe, according to the Scriptures. Since your name is as good as your word, be wise and watchful concerning fulfilling your commitments (Ecclesiastes 5:2; James 1:19). Ecclesiastes 5:2, Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. James 1:19, Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Vance Havner said, “A few flies can ruin a jar of precious perfume. And a little foolishness can spoil the influence of an honorable reputation”. Ecclesiastes 7:1 agrees that your name is valuable: “A good name is better than precious ointment;”. It leaves a pleasant fragrance in the air when it is spoken. A good name entails living with a clear conscience by accepting accountability for your actions and restoring when you have hurt someone. When we exercise integrity, we know that we have not violated our conscience or hurt someone else's. We can be assured that when someone investigates us, we will be proven innocent of wrongdoing. While riches we could live without, a life that doesn’t experience love would be devastating. Ed Howe said, “What people say behind your back is your standing in the community”. If your name is not in good standing with others in your community, you need to start working on earning a good name today. It might take a while to build or rebuild, but there is no doubt in the end it will be worth it. Joseph Hall said, “A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep their eyes on the spot where the crack was”.
There are things you can do to get and keep a good name:
1.Live your life in a way that is pleasing to the Lord (Proverbs 16:7-10).
2.Associate with those who have a good name (II Corinthians 6:14–17).
3.Live a sanctified life (I Thessalonians 4:3-7).
4.Be faithful to God’s house (Hebrews 10:24-25).
5.Work hard and be reliable (Proverbs 28:19-20; Ephesians 4:28).
6.Keep your word (Ecclesiastes 5:4-7; Matthew 5:33-37; I John 2:5).
7.Think of others (Philippians 2:3-4).
8.Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
9.Honor those who love the Lord (Psalm 84:11).
10.Does not falsely accuse another (Exodus 20:16)
Questions to Consider:
Points to Ponder:
PRAYER: Lord, help me to have a clean heart and clean hands that my walk in this life will be in absolute integrity. In Jesus Name, AMEN.
If this post has blessed you in any way,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
Proverbs 22:1, A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
On March 5, 2005, German long jumper Bianca Kappler created a stir in the world of indoor track and field. During the 28th European Indoor Athletics Championships in Madrid Spain's Palacio of Deportes pavilion, she refused the gold medal award. Kappler's final jump was measured at 22 feet, 10 inches. The next best contender was Naide Gomes of Portugal. Gomes' jump of 21 feet, 11 inches made her a distant second. However, when Kappler was handed the gold, she promptly handed it back, saying, "I know I can't jump that far." Kappler's other jumps were 21-11/2, 21-51/4 and 21-31/4. When officials asked her to reconsider or take a final jump the next day, Kappler declined. She insisted that her best jumps were nearly a foot shorter than that "medal-winning" effort. Judges concluded her jump must have been measured incorrectly and gave the gold medal to Naide Gomes. Kappler ended up with a share of the bronze medal, prompting several newspapers to dub her "the world's most honest athlete." The International Olympic Committee President sent a letter to Bianca Kappler to congratulate her on this gesture.
Elbert Green Hubbard said, “Many a man's reputation would not know his character if they met on the street”. It may be hard for some to believe, but a good name and the favor of one’s community are more worth having than wealth. Your name represents you, your life, and who you are. It speaks of the work you do and how you do it. Those who follow wisdom win in the eyes of God and others (Proverbs 3:4). When your name is mentioned, people immediately think of something. We make our name good or bad. It is our decision. A good name speaks of your reputation and the character or the true person you are when no one else is around. A good name speaks of a person’s reputation, standing, status, honor, prestige, fame. You may often here when describing a person with character as "he or she has got a name" "his or her name is esteemed high" or "he or she is a person of good standing and reputation”.
The honor of a good name has more value than great wealth. Character will support a person regardless of the severity or sum of the circumstance. There are many rich people that have no respect or value to their name. The word of the person of character will go farther than all their riches. It means behaving in such a way that we cannot be reproached for inconsistency in our conduct (II Corinthians 8:21; I Timothy 3:2,7). II Corinthians 8:21, Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. I Timothy 3:2, A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; I Timothy 3:7, Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
As Christians, we are ambassadors for Christ. Since we represent Him, we should be concerned about upholding the Lord’s good name. We must be seen to be honest in the way we make it and wise in the way we make use of it. As Christians we bear Christ's name and His reputation is linked with ours; people may judge Him by us (Romans 2:24; II Thessalonians 1:12). Romans 2:24, For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. II Thessalonians 1:12, That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. When your strength of character is to resist compromise, this will honor the Lord in such a way for Him to bless you and those to whom you inspire and impact (Psalm 112:1–3, 6–7). Psalm 112:1, Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. 2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. 6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
One’s reputation is better that great wealth. The importance of maintaining integrity is beyond and financial price. A good name is more valuable than riches, because it can’t be bought with money. It has to be earned moment by moment, day by day, decision by decision. Having a good name means living in a way that earns the trust of others. It means demonstrating integrity that people can depend on. Maintaining a good name doesn’t mean that you are perfect, but when you make mistakes, you learn from them and do what you can to make things right. Erwin W. Lutzer said, “When we try to polish our reputation, we lose it; when we give it to Christ, we gain it”.
A person of character is the same person whether in the dark as in the light. There is no discrepancy between what a person of integrity appears to be on the outside and what he or she is on the inside. For the Christian specifically, integrity means we live according to what we say we believe, according to the Scriptures. Since your name is as good as your word, be wise and watchful concerning fulfilling your commitments (Ecclesiastes 5:2; James 1:19). Ecclesiastes 5:2, Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. James 1:19, Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Vance Havner said, “A few flies can ruin a jar of precious perfume. And a little foolishness can spoil the influence of an honorable reputation”. Ecclesiastes 7:1 agrees that your name is valuable: “A good name is better than precious ointment;”. It leaves a pleasant fragrance in the air when it is spoken. A good name entails living with a clear conscience by accepting accountability for your actions and restoring when you have hurt someone. When we exercise integrity, we know that we have not violated our conscience or hurt someone else's. We can be assured that when someone investigates us, we will be proven innocent of wrongdoing. While riches we could live without, a life that doesn’t experience love would be devastating. Ed Howe said, “What people say behind your back is your standing in the community”. If your name is not in good standing with others in your community, you need to start working on earning a good name today. It might take a while to build or rebuild, but there is no doubt in the end it will be worth it. Joseph Hall said, “A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep their eyes on the spot where the crack was”.
There are things you can do to get and keep a good name:
1.Live your life in a way that is pleasing to the Lord (Proverbs 16:7-10).
2.Associate with those who have a good name (II Corinthians 6:14–17).
3.Live a sanctified life (I Thessalonians 4:3-7).
4.Be faithful to God’s house (Hebrews 10:24-25).
5.Work hard and be reliable (Proverbs 28:19-20; Ephesians 4:28).
6.Keep your word (Ecclesiastes 5:4-7; Matthew 5:33-37; I John 2:5).
7.Think of others (Philippians 2:3-4).
8.Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
9.Honor those who love the Lord (Psalm 84:11).
10.Does not falsely accuse another (Exodus 20:16)
Questions to Consider:
- If someone interviewed five of your friends, what would they say about your character?
- What are you known for?
- What word characterizes your reputation?
- Do you believe that a good name is better than riches?
- Is your name in good standing with those around you?
- If not, what caused it and how could you turn it around?
- Have you lost sight of your integrity in the pursuit of riches?
Points to Ponder:
- People will love you for having integrity.
- People will appreciate you for the kindness, mercy and attention to their needs that you show.
- People will stay by your side when you are attacked.
- The honor of a good name has more value than great wealth.
- There is no greater inheritance we can leave behind, than the legacy of a good name.
- Ask God to help you develop a name for yourself that both you and He are proud of.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to have a clean heart and clean hands that my walk in this life will be in absolute integrity. In Jesus Name, AMEN.
If this post has blessed you in any way,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com