“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)
Humility is one of the characteristics of a godly person. It’s much better to have others speak highly of oneself than it is for us to do it ourselves! But a good and godly name is something to celebrate, and something to strive for.
Notice that our emphasis is often on our last name rather than our first. If “Craig” is a good name, then it would mean me being measured up alongside all others named Craig. But it’s the last name that is being referred to in the Scripture verse above. It’s the family name this verse speaks of — which raises the question: what kind of reputation do our families maintain in our communities? Is it one of respect, or does it bring up a negativity about it?
An old preacher once stated that there is one thing that shows up long before you and I arrive, and lingers long after we leave. “And
that is,” he stated in his strong English accent as he rolled his “r’s” . . . “your r-r-r-reputation.”
We don’t have much control over the actions of our family in the past, but we can do a lot to affect the family name into the future. And
it starts with us! How we live our lives can change the narrative to the positive about our family’s name in our community. We can start now by living godly, honest, and trustworthy lives, and by raising our children to do the same.
That honors the Lord and can start a new narrative about our family’s reputation. It’s something to work hard on today. Why? Because
to be esteemed (respected or admired by others) is better than silver or gold!
— Craig Stephen Smith
Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.
Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org