Reputation

Proverbs 22:1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

In a day and age where “wealth management” seems to have taken God’s place in many people’s lives, I am wondering what the LORD would say about a Trillionaire! Our world and its priorities shock me at times. As Jesus said, “the poor you will always have with you,” but I don’t imagine he had the filthy rich in mind.

But I don’t think the solution is to get the government involved in wealth redistribution. I don’t because this is a heart matter, not a wealth management matter. And their reputation will follow them.

There was a recent article about Jeff Bezos and his charitable giving. The ration of giving to wealth translated to $85 for the median income family. He might have given more than anyone else in the world to charity, but his giving was like a good meal at a fine restaurant. It cost him nothing.

“A good name”, our proverb starts, “is more desirable than great riches.” I’m not confident that many people would agree with this. They might say, “After I have enough wealth,” then I will worry about my reputation. And we might define ‘enough’ differently.

But if you observe those who gain wealth as an end goal, they never seem to be satisfied with the amount they have or with its security. They can have so much more than they need, but still be pushing to gain more. When money become your god, that god is never satisfied.

By contrast we do have the ability to influence our reputation. We can consistently, over time, live in a godly manner. Even those who don’t profess faith can see virtue and acknowledge it.

And a reputation is worth more than gold or silver! Gold and silver can be stolen. It can lose value. It can be spent. But the esteem of others can only be ruined by a failure of the one esteemed. Except in our ‘cancel culture’ which penalizes non-conformity to the “don’t judge me” ethos.

But reputation isn’t primarily about us. It really says something about those who observe you and value who you are, and what you have done for others. They must be willing to acknowledge your virtue, your character lived out before them. And this character is acknowledged as one to which people should aspire.

But in order to do that, the observer must then admit that they fall short of that character. They see your good name and realize they might not be living by that the same standard. They measure themselves against you and realize they come up short.

So who do you know that has a reputation worth your aspirations? What is your reputation both among Believers and among unbelievers? What is your business reputation? Personal reputation? Spiritual reputation? Financial reputation? Giving reputation?