Reputation, or a Good Name

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

A very strong emphasis was put on “a good name” in the community where I grew up. To have the commendation “He or she has a good name” meant that the person’s character was sterling, that behavior was good, that the person’s word was dependable and truthful.

Another saying we lived by was, “Remember where you are from.” When it was time for me to go away to college, my father talked to me again about reputation and making right choices. He somehow instilled in me the strong idea that if I failed to measure up to expectations of family, church and community, I would let not only him but the whole community down. Therein was the philosophy that it takes a whole village to rear a child and engender a “good name”.

These concepts were based to a great degree on memorizing and seeking to live by Proverbs 22:1: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.” Even more favorable than riches is a good reputation, a good name. Trustworthiness lies at the center of character. We didn’t have Eugene Peterson’s The Message Bible (c2002) back in Choestoe during my growing-up years, but his rendering of Proverbs 22:1 fits my father’s teaching quite well: “A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.”

The well-known pastor and Christian writer, Tony Campolo, states in Who Switched the Price Tags?: “Having a good reputation is wise. People should desire to have a good name, not because this brings status but because it honors God.” In the midst of life, we don’t think too often of death and our departure from this life. But think about your obituary. Will you have a portion of a newspaper column listing all your titles and awards in this life? Or will you leave behind those who say that you made a difference, that your life counted for God and for others? Remember that a good respected name does not always mean one of wealth or status in society. Stature is better than status. Righteous living, giving to others and serving God faithfully should be the aims of a making a good name.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Thursday, July 22, 2010