A Good Name Is To Be Chosen Over Riches
Be Of Good Reputation
PROVERBS 22:1-4
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. The rich and the poor have this in common, The LORD is the maker of them all. A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished. By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life.
”Proverbs 22:1-4 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/pro.22.1-4.nkj
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The idea that fear of the Lord leads to riches, honor, and life, may have been applicable to an obedient Israelite in Solomon’s time.
However, some have been martyrs at a young age, and some have given away their wealth for the sake of God’s Kingdom.
The truth is, reputation is far more important than riches.
We Spirit filled believers are ambassadors of Christ (2 CORINTHIANS 5:20), and we must be seen to act as such.
It is through our Christ like behaviour that we shine for Christ (PHILIPPIANS 2:15; DANIEL 12:3) and attract unbelievers to the the throne of Jesus Christ.
But the truth is, God’s loving favor is far greater than any amount of silver or gold.
Whether rich or poor in this life, we believers all have one thing in common. God loves us all, we are all His treasured possessions (DEUTERONOMY 7:6; 1 PETER 2:9) and have a great inheritance of riches and honor beyond all money or imagination.
Jesus came to give you life, that you may have it more abundantly (JOHN 10:10).
He gives us eternal life, and in ten thousand years time, when we are living out the promises of God, we won’t be worrying about the trials and challenges of life today.
No, we will be looking forward to unlimited years of paradise that will never end.
The truth is, we believers are all more than millionaires in the making.
It’s not wrong to be wealthy, indeed “Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.”
Genesis 13:2 NKJV.
But God often holds back riches. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
I Timothy 6:10 NKJV
God will not give you anything that might be damaging to you or your salvation; He will not give you that which you cannot handle.
But whatever your wealth, your health, your work status, your education or your IQ, whatever your sinful past, country of origin, as a believer of Christ, you have a great inheritance; good health, wealth, peace and joy in life everlasting.
Truly I tell you again and again,
“”Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
