Something Better Than Wealth

Indulge me for a moment…

What is your dream?

Go ahead...give yourself a moment...dream!

Was it that two-story house with a wrap-around porch set on ten acres with a nice pond with a wooded area beyond? (My wife has the house; the pond and wooded area are mine.) Or perhaps your dream is simpler: a BIG bank account. Some might think about career or retirement or dream vacations. I wonder if anyone thought about good health.

I’ll bet most folks think only of themselves, but some might have thought about something for family or friends. I would not be surprised if your ‘dream’ was influenced by the fact that the question appeared in a religious context.

Whatever the case, whatever you might have dreamed, do you think anyone thought about their name?

Don’t feel bad if you didn’t, but reflect with me for a moment about the value of a good name.

There are people we know about who have a terrible reputation. They may only be known for one event in their life, but that event defines them and gives them a bad name:

• Adolph Hitler
• John Wilkes Booth
• Charles Manson

We could make a contrasting list of people with good names, but what does it take for a person to have a good name?

• People do not trust a liar; a liar will not have a good name.
• Someone who gossips will not have a good name.
• A person who is self-centered will not have a good name.
• A person who manipulates other people will not have a good name.
• A person who uses others to get ahead will not have a good name.
• Someone who cheats will not have a good name.
• Someone who complains all the time will not have a good name.
• Someone who is short-tempered, gruff, unkind, or uncaring will not have a good name.

What does it take for a person to have a good name?

A good name is the result of good character. Good character is nothing other than godliness, that is, God-like-ness.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
--Galatians 5:22-23

Though not an exhaustive list, these qualities will certainly produce a good name.

A good name is to be more desired than great riches,
Favor is better than silver and gold.--Proverbs 22:1

Look back at your life for a moment--What have you been pursuing?
Now, look to the future...Do you see the value of a good name, or do you still believe the illusion of wealth?

Be Wise.