Today's Reading:
Matthew 19:1-15
Numbers 9-10
Ecclesiastes 7
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| Listen to the Bible |
Thoughts and Commentary on Today's Reading:
"A good name is better than precious ointment..." Ecclesiastes 7:1.
In the past, I have already written a blog about "precious ointment" and its value in Bible Times. For this reason, I will only refer you back to my prior blog posting on ointment, which originally was posted on January 5, 2017. So, today, my focus will be on the remainder of this verse. Let's start with a "good name", which is a reference to a good reputation.
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.
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1). Consistency in the following areas will help you maintain a good name.
God warns us to choose our words carefully so that we can keep the promises we make. We are to be swift to hear but slow to speak. (See James 1:19.) “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” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).
Consider the promises you have made to God, your family, friends, and others. Have you kept your word? Ask a trusted friend to hold you accountable to fulfill your promises.
Scripture reveals the bad name you earn when you fail to return what was borrowed to you: “The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again . . .” (Psalm 37:21). Have you borrowed items that have not been returned? Do you need to reimburse anyone for items they have given you?
In Bible times, merchants made dishonest profits by using two sets of weights—one set for buying and another for selling. The weights for buying were heavier than the weights for selling, so the merchant got more than he paid for and delivered less than his customers purchased. In the Bible, God repeatedly rebukes this practice. “A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight” (Proverbs 11:1). (See also Proverbs 16:11, 20:10, and 20:23.)
Using a false weight or measure does not constitute a large theft. It is a small theft repeated many times. Yet God condemns and punishes corruption in the marketplace, even for a small dishonest gain.
Even if a method of earning money is legal, if it takes advantage of the poor, it violates God’s Word. “Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies” (Psalm 41:1–2).
Business people often face difficult financial circumstances. They
depend on the receipts that are owed to them so that they in turn can
discharge their financial responsibilities. When payment is late, the
confidence and respect toward the one owing the money is damaged.
To honor those on whose businesses you depend, establish the practice of delivering full payment for services. Consider keeping a special account to hold funds in trust so that the money will not be spent on other items. “Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee” (Proverbs 3:28).
A good name can be damaged by friendships, through either influence or association. Others may esteem or fail to esteem your name on the basis of the company you keep. Although we should not altogether withdraw from interacting with people whose behavior and values differ from our own, we should seek to choose wise companions to be our closest friends. Are your close friends known as wise and Godly people?
Honest living is especially important for a Christian, because he
represents Jesus Christ to those around him, and he can rely on God’s
grace to enable him to live righteously. (See 2 Peter 1:2–5.)
Therefore, he should be more concerned about upholding God’s good Name than he is about upholding his own reputation.
By fearing God instead of man, a Christian will gain the confidence to stand for what is true, even if it is not popular. As he centers his life on God’s Word, he will not be swayed by the opinions and decision of others, but rather he will hold fast to the truth. “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe” (Proverbs 29:25.)
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1). Consistency in the following areas will help you maintain a good name.
Be True to Your Word
Do all you can to fulfill your promises and carry out your commitments, whatever the cost. After all, a person’s name is as good as his word.God warns us to choose our words carefully so that we can keep the promises we make. We are to be swift to hear but slow to speak. (See James 1:19.) “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” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).
Consider the promises you have made to God, your family, friends, and others. Have you kept your word? Ask a trusted friend to hold you accountable to fulfill your promises.
Return Borrowed Items
Lending among friends is usually done without keeping careful records of the loan. Borrowing is often prompted by the urgency or need of the moment, with full intention to repay. When the pressure eases, however, loans are often forgotten by the borrower—but not by the lender. As time passes, the risk of damage, both to the borrowed items and to the friendship, continues to increase.Scripture reveals the bad name you earn when you fail to return what was borrowed to you: “The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again . . .” (Psalm 37:21). Have you borrowed items that have not been returned? Do you need to reimburse anyone for items they have given you?
Maintain Just Business Practices
God sees every business transaction we make, and throughout Scripture He calls us to be honest and just. “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure. Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the Lord your God . . .” (Leviticus 19:35–36).In Bible times, merchants made dishonest profits by using two sets of weights—one set for buying and another for selling. The weights for buying were heavier than the weights for selling, so the merchant got more than he paid for and delivered less than his customers purchased. In the Bible, God repeatedly rebukes this practice. “A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight” (Proverbs 11:1). (See also Proverbs 16:11, 20:10, and 20:23.)
Using a false weight or measure does not constitute a large theft. It is a small theft repeated many times. Yet God condemns and punishes corruption in the marketplace, even for a small dishonest gain.
“Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights? For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth. Therefore also will I make thee sick in smiting thee, in making thee desolate because of thy sins. Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied . . . . Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap: thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil . . .” (Micah 6:11–15).If you have cheated anyone, restore what you dishonestly gained.
Reject Gain That Comes From Another’s Loss
There is severe and lasting damage to the name of any person who profits by another’s loss. God criticizes unjust gain and warns that those who receive it are, in fact, investing in their own destruction. “And they lay wait for their own blood: they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of everyone that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof” (Proverbs 1:18–19).Even if a method of earning money is legal, if it takes advantage of the poor, it violates God’s Word. “Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies” (Psalm 41:1–2).
Be Punctual in Paying Bills
Business people often face difficult financial circumstances. They
depend on the receipts that are owed to them so that they in turn can
discharge their financial responsibilities. When payment is late, the
confidence and respect toward the one owing the money is damaged.To honor those on whose businesses you depend, establish the practice of delivering full payment for services. Consider keeping a special account to hold funds in trust so that the money will not be spent on other items. “Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee” (Proverbs 3:28).
Associate With Wise and Godly People
Companionship is an important part of life, and your associates influence your judgment on many issues. Scripture instructs us: “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (I Corinthians 15:33).A good name can be damaged by friendships, through either influence or association. Others may esteem or fail to esteem your name on the basis of the company you keep. Although we should not altogether withdraw from interacting with people whose behavior and values differ from our own, we should seek to choose wise companions to be our closest friends. Are your close friends known as wise and Godly people?
Represent Jesus Christ (Yahshua Messiah) With Honor
Honest living is especially important for a Christian, because he
represents Jesus Christ to those around him, and he can rely on God’s
grace to enable him to live righteously. (See 2 Peter 1:2–5.)
Therefore, he should be more concerned about upholding God’s good Name than he is about upholding his own reputation.By fearing God instead of man, a Christian will gain the confidence to stand for what is true, even if it is not popular. As he centers his life on God’s Word, he will not be swayed by the opinions and decision of others, but rather he will hold fast to the truth. “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe” (Proverbs 29:25.)
“Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee” (Psalm 128:1).
This material was adapted from the Men’s Manual, Volume II, pages 183–185.
Why a Good Name Is Better Than Riches
I can think of three reasons why a good name is better than great riches:1. A good name provides stability
When you have a good name people can trust you. That trust is a stabilizing factor in your relationship with them. They know what to expect from you and can lean on your decisions with absolute surety, knowing they were made with pure motives.
Those whose good name has been tarnished have a difficult time building trust. Their motives will always be questioned as insincere. They are more or less seen as looking out for themselves and taking little consideration for the needs of others.
And how often do you question the motives of those who throw their great wealth around? Doesn’t it seem like there are often strings attached? That they have an ulterior motive for using their money?
2. A good name is eternal
Riches are fleeting. They could be with us one minute and gone the next. And of course we know that we can’t take riches with us once we leave this world at the time of our death.
A good name however is theoretically eternal. How many men and women of history are still being spoken of in a positive light? Wouldn’t it be special if that could be you?
How will your legacy be remembered and portrayed by family, friends or colleagues once you are gone? Will they focus on the value of your good name or only remember that you cared about money? One of those will provide fonder memories and produce more positive future dialogue than the other.
3. A good name brings loving favor
The ending phrase of Proverbs 22:1 says, “…loving favor rather than silver and gold.” As we are to seek a good name instead of riches, so we are also to seek loving favor over riches. And I can think of no better way to garner loving favor than to have a good name.
People will love you for having integrity. They will appreciate you for showing kindness, mercy and attention to their needs. They will stand up and support you when you are bombarded with unwarranted attacks.
And let’s be honest…wouldn’t we all prefer to be loved first and foremost? “I want to be loved” is one truism to which we can all relate.
Riches we could live without. A life that doesn’t experience love would be devastating.
Riches are not evil and there is nothing wrong with having them. But a good name is better than riches…than all the riches of the world. It provides more value in the present and the future. Do you need to start working on yours today?
- See more at: http://luke1428.com/3-reasons-a-good-name-is-better-than-riches-proverbs-221/#sthash.8K8Wmqix.dpuf
Why a Good Name Is Better Than Riches
I can think of three reasons why a good name is better than great riches:1. A good name provides stability
When you have a good name people can trust you. That trust is a stabilizing factor in your relationship with them. They know what to expect from you and can lean on your decisions with absolute surety, knowing they were made with pure motives.
Those whose good name has been tarnished have a difficult time building trust. Their motives will always be questioned as insincere. They are more or less seen as looking out for themselves and taking little consideration for the needs of others.
And how often do you question the motives of those who throw their great wealth around? Doesn’t it seem like there are often strings attached? That they have an ulterior motive for using their money?
2. A good name is eternal
Riches are fleeting. They could be with us one minute and gone the next. And of course we know that we can’t take riches with us once we leave this world at the time of our death.
A good name however is theoretically eternal. How many men and women of history are still being spoken of in a positive light? Wouldn’t it be special if that could be you?
How will your legacy be remembered and portrayed by family, friends or colleagues once you are gone? Will they focus on the value of your good name or only remember that you cared about money? One of those will provide fonder memories and produce more positive future dialogue than the other.
3. A good name brings loving favor
The ending phrase of Proverbs 22:1 says, “…loving favor rather than silver and gold.” As we are to seek a good name instead of riches, so we are also to seek loving favor over riches. And I can think of no better way to garner loving favor than to have a good name.
People will love you for having integrity. They will appreciate you for showing kindness, mercy and attention to their needs. They will stand up and support you when you are bombarded with unwarranted attacks.
And let’s be honest…wouldn’t we all prefer to be loved first and foremost? “I want to be loved” is one truism to which we can all relate.
Riches we could live without. A life that doesn’t experience love would be devastating.
Riches are not evil and there is nothing wrong with having them. But a good name is better than riches…than all the riches of the world. It provides more value in the present and the future. Do you need to start working on yours today?
- See more at: http://luke1428.com/3-reasons-a-good-name-is-better-than-riches-proverbs-221/#sthash.8K8Wmqix.dpuf
Why a Good Name Is Better Than Riches
I can think of three reasons why a good name is better than great riches:1. A good name provides stability
When you have a good name people can trust you. That trust is a stabilizing factor in your relationship with them. They know what to expect from you and can lean on your decisions with absolute surety, knowing they were made with pure motives.
Those whose good name has been tarnished have a difficult time building trust. Their motives will always be questioned as insincere. They are more or less seen as looking out for themselves and taking little consideration for the needs of others.
And how often do you question the motives of those who throw their great wealth around? Doesn’t it seem like there are often strings attached? That they have an ulterior motive for using their money?
2. A good name is eternal
Riches are fleeting. They could be with us one minute and gone the next. And of course we know that we can’t take riches with us once we leave this world at the time of our death.
A good name however is theoretically eternal. How many men and women of history are still being spoken of in a positive light? Wouldn’t it be special if that could be you?
How will your legacy be remembered and portrayed by family, friends or colleagues once you are gone? Will they focus on the value of your good name or only remember that you cared about money? One of those will provide fonder memories and produce more positive future dialogue than the other.
3. A good name brings loving favor
The ending phrase of Proverbs 22:1 says, “…loving favor rather than silver and gold.” As we are to seek a good name instead of riches, so we are also to seek loving favor over riches. And I can think of no better way to garner loving favor than to have a good name.
People will love you for having integrity. They will appreciate you for showing kindness, mercy and attention to their needs. They will stand up and support you when you are bombarded with unwarranted attacks.
And let’s be honest…wouldn’t we all prefer to be loved first and foremost? “I want to be loved” is one truism to which we can all relate.
Riches we could live without. A life that doesn’t experience love would be devastating.
Riches are not evil and there is nothing wrong with having them. But a good name is better than riches…than all the riches of the world. It provides more value in the present and the future. Do you need to start working on yours today?
- See more at: http://luke1428.com/3-reasons-a-good-name-is-better-than-riches-proverbs-221/#sthash.8K8Wmqix.dpuf
