What matters about a name? Quite a bit, according to King Solomon
By Dean Collins
When parents name a child, I doubt there is much consideration about whether the name they choose will bring material wealth. When choosing a name for the baby that will be coming soon, we typically have different criteria.
It is common for parents first to consider a family name, sometimes to honor a person or maybe to extend the remembrance of a loved one. We might have a sense of obligation or desire to continue the second, third, or fourth generation of a particular name. Sometimes family dynamics cause expectant parents to avoid the use of a family name.
Some choose names to be unique, which might or might not be helpful to the child. Sometimes we pick names to avoid certain things. A parent may not like the associated nicknames that likely will follow certain names. Or we consider the initials of the first, middle, and last names and want or don’t want what those initials spell or reference. Ralph Irving Phillips would initial documents with R. I. P., and we’ll probably choose not to saddle him with a constant reminder of death.
I often joke that my mother was a prophetess because she named me Dean. No one in her family or our family at that time was a college graduate or in any way associated with a college, but now for 18 years I have worked as a college president. So the name Dean ended up being connected to my occupation. But I suspect not many parents name their child to align with an occupation.
Choose a good name
Proverbs 22:1 says: “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.” I doubt Solomon meant the actual name was what mattered. His challenge was more about the value of one’s reputation. We didn’t get to pick our name, but according to Solomon, we do get to choose the value, worth, or favor that comes with a name. Here’s the whole sentence: “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.”
Every day we get to choose whether we add value or diminish the value of our name. Solomon had plenty of silver and gold. His riches were well known. But long after Solomon’s famous prayer for wisdom, which God answered, Solomon chose still to disobey God. He was a wise king, but in the last two decades of his reign, his reputation began to erode. His multiple marriages to foreign women, his heavy taxation, his alliances with other nations, and his giving up land for debts he could not pay all took their toll. When his reign ended, David’s kingdom was divided and was well on its road to idolatry. My point is that Solomon knew firsthand that reputation and character are more valuable than accumulated wealth.
Choose a good path
Sadly, parents and students often make decisions concerning college education and career choice based on which degree and which job might produce more income and hopefully increase personal wealth. While not entirely irrelevant, a life motivated by earnings will probably trip up character development. Focus on the return on investment in a college degree is a poor reason for choosing an education.
This is partly why Christian education is so very valuable and worth everyone’s investment. Character formation and spiritual transformation will result in choosing “a good name” and result in “favor that is better than silver or gold.”
Solomon continued by reminding us that both the rich and the poor will meet together. We see each other every day and God is the maker of all humans. If we fail to choose to daily focus on our spiritual foundation and the generosity that flows from it, then we will run into danger and suffer for it. But if we choose humility, seek wisdom, and share the love, mercy, and kindness of Jesus, then we will enjoy riches both now and in eternity. And along the way, honor and abundant life will be ours to enjoy.
Father, forgive us for choosing the things of this world over you. Today we ask for courage and faith to do as Jesus told us to do: “Seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness and trust that you will provide for every need.” May your name become the foundation for our lives today and every day. We want to make you famous by living a life that glorifies you in every way. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Proverbs 22:1-4 ESV
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
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