What Is A Good Name?

Proverbs 22:1

New King James Version (NKJV)
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
Rather than wealth, choose a good reputation, esteem over silver and gold.

What is a good name? By definition, a good name is a good reputation. It is not a high sounding name given at birth or at will. Some people have great Christian names but they are actually little devils in real life. A good name will not be ruined by scandals or bad behaviors.

It takes a few seconds to name someone, but it takes years to build a good reputation or a good name. That is why it is something worthy to be sought after. The value of a good name reflects the true character and nature of a person.

It takes many years to build a good reputation, but to destroy it, it only takes a few minutes. If we only know this truth, we will do things differently with a greater sense of responsibility and accountability.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10
9 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”
10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

Jabez's mum gave him a really terrible name when he was born. But Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. He had a great reputation despite his given name. And God granted his prayer requests!

A good name speaks about our integrity and godly character. It is what we are inside of us. In essence, it is what we truly are.

Have we ever thought whether we have a good name or not? Would we say it is good? Do we even consider how others view us? Do we have a good reputation? When people hear our names, what do they have immediately in their minds?

The Bible says that a good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold. A good name is better than all the money in the world!

When we have a good name or reputation, others can trust us. Trust is an important and essential factor for good and lasting relationships and friendships to flourish and grow. People will know whether we have pure motives or not when we befriend them or do things for them.

Many people have their good names tarnished. As a result, they have great difficulties rebuilding trust and restoring friendships. Most of their actions are armed with secret motives and agendas. They are often insincere and deceitful. They are always looking after their own interests instead of the needs of others. They have very little consideration for others. They are after the love of money.

Worldly wealth will come and go, but a good name will remain. The men and women of faith were remembered for their faithfulness and obedience in doing the will of God. They were righteous before the Lord!

Genesis 26:5
because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.

Luke 1:5-6
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Acts 13:22
And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’

James 5:16b-17
16 The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.

These men and women of faith left a great legacy for us to follow. They had a good name! And they had favor from God. And God answered their prayers! Abraham had a son in his old age, so did Zacharias and Elizabeth. Elijah had rain after three years and six months.

2 Timothy 4:6-8
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

In Paul's farewell address, he knew that he had honored the Lord in his life, and brought glory to His name. He had fought the good fight, had finished the race, and had kept the faith. He had a good name or reputation in his faithful service for the Lord!

May we be remembered likewise for our faithfulness and obedience to the Lord! May our reputation remain untarnished as we bear the name of the Lord while serving others! May we continue to have a good name as the years go by!

Written on: 1 November 2019