Daily Devotion of Proverbs 22

Daily Nugget:
One of the most important things you will ever have is not your house, your intelligence, your good looks, nor your wealth. Your most valuable asset is your name.

When your name is uttered, what memory does it bring to the hearers’ ears? Do they first remember, “Oh; he has lied in the past, so chances are what he says may not be the truth”?

When you are mentioned, do they giggle and remember all the foolish things you have done, and because of your past, refuse to take anything you do seriously? Does the label “adulterer” flash through their minds when you were mentioned because of sinful behavior in the past? Are you branded as a cheat forever because of having been dishonest in class many years ago? When “hard worker” is mentioned, is your name the first one they think of? Are you always remembered positively because of your concern and care for others?

What we do or say usually burns an impression in people’s mind of who they think we are, and what they think of us and our character. It is an impression that is difficult to change or erase from memory.

The value others put on our name often dictates how we will be treated. It may affect job placement, or even who will agree to marry us. Others’ opinions and thoughts when our name is mentioned have a lot to do with whom we are and who we will be.

Most of the references in the Bible using “name” have to do with God’s name. All through the Bible, His name has earned others’ respect. His name stands for justice, truth, and faithfulness. He is the one who can do the “impossible” and the one to go to in time of need.
“O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” Psalms 8:9 Also: Psalms 8:1, Psalms 29:2, Psalms 102:15, Isaiah 9:6.

The Bible has something to say about the value our name can have. Here is some of what the Bible says our name can mean to others:

• The Bible says the reputation your name brings is of great value.
  “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1
• Do good, and the right thing, and your name will be a positive testimony to many. Do wrong, and your name will be forgotten, or it will not be a pleasant memory to those that know you. If your name has a negative connotation, it is usually no one’s fault but your own.
  “The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.” Proverbs 10:7
• An ointment may be fragrant and smell good to many, but it will not affect as many as will one’s good reputation. The loss of a person with a good name will be a great tragedy to those that were touched by his life.
  “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.” Ecclesiastes 7:1
• God will not honor the reputation of those that did not honor him.
  
  “Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.” Psalms 9:5
• Those that love God will have a good reputation for doing so.
  "But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” I Cor. 8:3

Our lives impact many. What impact did you leave in other’s minds when you interacted with them? What do others think when they remember you?

Today’s Thought: 
To keep a good reputation: “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” — I Thessalonians 5:22

Words to Understand:
Abhorred: detested; loathed
Froward: not willing to do what is required; unmanageable; not willing to be obedient
Humility: modest; humble
Iniquity: sin; wickedness
Prudent: careful; discreet
Scorner: one who has or shows great displeasure
Transgressor: sinner; breaker of God’s commandments

Today’s Reading:
Proverbs 22
1 ¶ A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2 ¶ The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
3 ¶ A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4 ¶ By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
5 ¶ Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
6 ¶ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
7 ¶ The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 ¶ He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
9 ¶ He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10 ¶ Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
11 ¶ He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
12 ¶ The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
13 ¶ The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
14 ¶ The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
15 ¶ Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16 ¶ He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
17 ¶ Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
22 ¶ Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24 ¶ Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
26 ¶ Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28 ¶ Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29 ¶ Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.