The Weight of a Good Name

By Dean Collins

Proverbs and Ecclesiastes remind us of the importance of a good name. Both books are known as part of the wisdom literature of scripture, so we know that a “good name” is conveying something more than just whether you like the name your parents picked for you at birth! These two verses speak of the value of a good reputation. 

“A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.”

(Ecclesiastes 7:1)

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.”

(Proverbs 22:1)

What do you think comes to mind when someone hears your name? In some situations, it might be specific to how the person knows you. For instance, if you play in a pickleball league, they might comment on your athletic ability. Or they might comment on your attitude when winning or losing. If you are arrogant or angry, then it is likely that people know you by that rather than how well you play your sport.  

I know some people who I literally have never heard anyone say anything bad about. The first thing I hear about these individuals is always about their kindness, their generosity, or their integrity. Because I know some people who have sterling reputations, I can testify that their reputations didn’t just happen. They chose to make daily decisions to live a certain way that involved kindness and integrity. 

On the other hand, I know people who I have had business dealings with whom I have literally never heard anyone say anything good about. I am confident that these people didn’t wake up thinking, “How can I be a snake today?” But either they simply didn’t make the investment to spend time seeking wisdom from God or determining how to be kind, or they simply didn’t think about anything other than how they could beat the competition or make the most profit. How we structure our lives begins with how we are spiritually centered. If our core is about anything other than God’s will being done in us as it is in heaven, then our reputation will quickly reveal what is important to us.

Living in a fallen world, there will be times where someone might choose to bring harm to our reputation. If you have been in leadership for very long, you know that sometimes people say things about you that aren’t true. They also might say things about your business, organization, or church that is not true. Sadly, some people choose to believe what they hear without ever speaking to you. So, what do we do when someone seeks reputational harm?

Peter has some clear instructions in 1 Peter 2: “But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.” This probably sounds simplistic and not at all natural. When someone mistreats you while you are doing something good, it is hard to not fight back and at least correct the person. 

As Peter explained his instructions, he reminds us how Jesus handled things when he was lied about and accused of things he didn’t do. 

“Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”

This is a high standard, to be sure. But if we identify ourselves with Jesus, then Jesus is the standard that we are to live by. Peter said that it is God’s will that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. But Peter didn’t say how long we might have to do good before this happens. Peter does remind us that ultimately, we are to put these unjust treatments from others in the hands of God, who will ultimately bring justice to us and to all things. 

Father, we confess that our first impulse is often to fight back and to pay back those who have treated us in ways that bring damage to our reputation and the kingdom work we do.  Today we ask that the Holy Spirit grant us wisdom and capacity to love with the kindness of Jesus. We believe your word and trust you to resolve these moments in your time. Today we ask that you help us love like Jesus loved. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Your Time with God’s Word
Proverbs 22:1; 1 Peter 2:15-16, 19-25 ESV

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