A good name is to be more desired than great riches, favor is better than silver and gold (Proverbs 22:1, NASB).

        A good name is not an automatic thing in this life, but achieving a place in life in which you have a good name is better than great riches. Why is that? And how can we get one?

The Scripture tells us “a good name is to be desired,” which tells the reader a good name can be had, if one is willing to do the work to get it. There are places in the Bible where names have been changed. The following examples come to mind: Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, Jacob became Israel, Gideon became Jerubaal, and in the NT Jesus looked at Peter and said he would be called Cephas.

        A good name does not depend on a change in name, however. A good name can also mean that a person has proven himself to be reliable and dependable. I think of John Mark in Acts. He started out, but did not continue with Paul and Barnabas in the work of the Gospel (Acts 13:13), and Paul didn’t want him going along on another missionary trip because of that, but Barnabas wanted Mark along. Their disagreement was so strong they separated, and Barnabas took Mark with him, while Paul left with Silas (Acts 15:36-41). Somewhere along the way Mark must have redeemed himself because Paul later wrote he was useful to him in the ministry (2 Timothy 4:11). He had gotten a good name and Paul was a witness.

        With this in mind, I submit that getting a good name is not only profitable in this life, but even more so in the life to come. A good name is to be desired over great riches because great riches do not redeem in the day of wrath and judgment. Those with a good name find favor with the King of kings and Lord of lords; having silver and gold does not lead to favor with the King of kings. Every name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life is a good name. The good news is, if it is desired, it can be obtained. How can we do that? By overcoming and walking in the steps of our Savior. Only Jesus is able to set you on the right path. Those with a good name and His favor will one day hear the words “well done, good and faithful servant.” I encourage my readers to earnestly desire a good name and secure it.

Tishrei 7, 5784

September 22, 2023