Day 22 – Read Proverbs 22
Is My Reputation Really Important?
Is having a good reputation really that important? We frequently hear about great restaurants with good reputations and significant influence, and these are the ones we remember the most. Let’s be honest; we choose our brands and restaurants by their names, right? A good name and a good reputation really go a long way.
Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. – Proverbs 22:1 NLT
The writer of Proverbs makes a comparison between great riches and a good reputation. So what exactly is a good reputation? Simply put, a person with a good reputation has good character and a positive influence on others. However, as relevant as human honor is, there is a higher honor. The highest honor is receiving honor from God.
Others may honor us, but being honored by the Lord, and being in a right-standing relationship with Him, is of much greater value. The key to being honored by the Lord is walking with Jesus. When we do that, we will leave a good reputation behind us. In the world’s eyes, we might not appear successful, but in God’s eyes, we are.
Godly Character Over Material Possessions
A person can have a lot of worldly riches but lack godly character, which would lead to a poor reputation. Remember, godly character is more important than material possessions. Character is what people will remember us for when we pass away. It’s the qualities and traits God develops in us as we continue to walk with Him that define our success in life.
Over the years, I’ve learned one of the biggest blessings in life is being at peace with God and people. Great riches are external and temporary. God wants to produce in us eternal riches that will last forever, and those riches—traits like generosity, humility, influence, and integrity—follow a good reputation. These are internal qualities that God develops in us as we grow in Him, and they bring forth the fruit of a good reputation.
Having an Eternal Perspective
The author of Proverbs is calling us to live with an eternal perspective. The good news is, regardless of what we’ve done in the past, it's never too late to start doing what's right. It's never too late to start building a good reputation. Jesus provides us with a new beginning. Today is the day to start building!
Dig Deeper
1. What character traits would you like to see left behind when you pass away?
2. Why is it important to live with an eternal perspective?
