God Name

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

GOD NAME

Prov 22:1

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

NIV

At first glance we would consider it is far better to have a good reputation than a great amount of wealth. When we consider some of the wealthiest people in the world, what type of reputation do they have? Some of them might be great people and do much to serve the common good of humanity. Some do nothing more than serve their own desires. It seems this is the kind of people we have in the Congress of the United States. Many of them are not serving the needs of the people in their states, but rather are always concerned about getting reelected. Surveys have told us their reputation is not good. But what about our reputation? Do we live to have a good name? How much of our time do we spend in the pursuit of money, working to pay the bills even, compared to the time we spend considering how people see us? We might not be chasing after the rainbow in a sense, to become wealthy, storing up money for the future, being concerned about having enough, but we spend a great deal of our days working for some income. Yet how much of our time do we spend developing our reputation and want kind of a reputation do we develop? Better yet, who do people see when they look at us? It might be a good thing for us to be known as a good worker, or a good employee or employer in some cases. It might be a good thing to be seen as a happy, content person. It might be good to be seen as an honest upright citizen. It might be good to be seen as a Christian, but then we would need to know their definition of being a Christian, if it is to truly be good. What kind of good name do we have? Do we have the name of Jesus? That is do people see Jesus or maybe God when they consider who we are? This is not about good works in the work place, or even in church, but about who we actually are and what people think of us. What is our reputation? Is it about Jesus living as us in us? Is it about being religious? Do we have the good name of Jesus living in us? That is more than anything else. Of course that does not mean we have to live solemnly without any laughter or fun. It does not mean we have to appear as if we are always trying to advance the gospel. We can laugh, have fun, enjoy life and the people we work, live, church and socialize with. We can smile and even enjoy a good joke. But when someone is hurting, physically, mentally, emotionally, can they depend on us to pray for and with them? Is that our good name? It does not mean we have to seeking after someone to pray for or with, but to be available when the need presents itself, when the Spirit opens that door. Sure it is a good thing to be involved in ministering to the needs of others, giving money and time in service to some need, doing things for people, lending a helping hand. The humanitarians do that, not in the name of the Lord, but in their own name. Not that we shouldn’t be involved, but being available to pray for and with someone when they need to know Jesus loves them, then we  believe that is truly having a good name, or more like a God name.