Good Choices

Proverbs 22:1 - A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.

The value system of the believer must be made of higher stuff than is common among men. All who call upon the blessed name of the Lord Jesus Christ must be willing to look upward and desire to be all that is pleasing in the eyes of their heavenly Father. It is only in this posture that the Christian can be all that they are to be among men. If we simply aspire to that which is earthbound and common we will be earthbound and common. In that posture there will be little for the unbeliever to observe in God’s people that is attractive and encouraging in terms of seeking the face of Christ themselves. No, we as pilgrims and strangers in this world must live as those who have seen another. We must live as those who have in their hearts at present a heavenly kingdom ruling and guiding them; a kingdom whose values form and fashion the manner in which we journey in a strange land. It is to this end that we consider the verse before us.

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, As we consider these words, let us first observe what they do not mean. The inspired writer is not giving us a commentary on the evil of riches. He is not seeking to dissuade us from being industrious, believing that somehow there is less holiness in that station of life than in another. In fact, if both can be had simultaneously, there is no problem to be found in that. What the writer is saying to us is or ought to be plain in our minds. For God’s people there is always the consideration of what is more important or of greater worth and value. What he is saying to us is that we must live our lives in such a way that keeps in clear focus what is truly important. What he is telling us is that we may spend years attempting to cultivate riches and men would find that to be a worthwhile use of our time. However, what is the degree of time and effort we spend on our walk, that our reputation is well regarded among men? Not that we seek to be men pleasers but we do seek to walk uprightly and to leave something of true worth in this world. Paul puts it this way as he speaks to those aspiring positions of leadership in the church: 1 Timothy 3:7a - Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; and loving favor rather than silver and gold. Also and in the same vein the writer adds this beautiful truth. Loving favor or the good regard of our fellow man is better by far than all the silver and gold of this world. When a man has the good regard of his fellow men; myriad doors open to share the gospel and the grace of God. When men have low regard for us as people they will have little regard for our gospel. May we seek to cultivate with our neighbors, co-workers, and extended families a life that inspires others to seek our blessed Redeemer.

May the Lord richly bless you Pastor Mark