A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. – Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. – Proverbs 22:1(KJV)

Theme:  Living According to God’s Word

During his reign, King Solomon added 25 tons of gold — that’s 50,000 lbs of gold — to his wealth every year (see 2 Chronicles 9:13). Today that would be worth over a billion dollars per year. He possessed incredible wealth, yet here in Proverbs 22:1 he states clearly that there is something much more valuable than all of that gold:  a “good name.”

A good reputation is one of the most valuable things we can possess. And like anything else of great value, we should take measures to protect it. Ben Franklin once said:
“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.”

Oh how true that is! Our reputations are built upon the things we do, the things we say, the places we go (or don’t go), and the company we keep (see Who Do You Walk With). If we’re known as people who are trustworthy, honest, humble, and kind, it’s usually because our actions have put those characteristics on display. On the other hand, we all know individuals whose actions have generated less desirable reputations…troublemaker, dishonest, arrogant, mean-spirited, self-centered, and so on. In short, the things we say and do play a critical role in either protecting — or destroying — our “good name.” 
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right – Proverbs 20:11 (KJV)

My wife and I frequently send our kids off to activities with something like this:  “You represent our family…make sure you protect our family name.” In closing, let’s not forget that we, as Christians, represent God’s family. Let’s make sure our words and actions protect our family name.

For more posts like this, see  God’s Life Hacks.

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