"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." (Proverbs 22:1)
Here are two things which are more valuable and which we should covet more than great riches,
a. A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches: Wealth comes in many forms. The wealth of respect and recognized excellence in character – a good name – is valuable beyond great riches. Solomon placed the value of a having a good reputation over riches, to be spoken well of.
b. Loving favor rather than silver and gold: The man or woman who appreciates the value of a good name, of favor with God and man, recognizes that it is worth more than silver and gold. Being held in high esteem is better than riches. Christ has neither silver nor gold, but he grew in favour with God and man, Luke 2:52 . This should teach us to look with a holy contempt upon the wealth of this world, not to set our hearts upon that, but with all possible care to think of those things that are lovely and of good report.
Your reputation is an asset far more important than anything you can buy. The respect of others and their affection for you is an asset you should pursue with great zeal. Your character is a precious treasure that you should enhance each day by wise choices. What do people think, when they hear your name? Do they think graciousness, godliness, diligence, and faithfulness? Is your name sweet to their ears and thoughts? How do they speak of you to others? Are you often praised in your absence? Do others crave your company? Do they want to honor you with affection, gifts, and service?
Or is your name a bitter thought? Do they think harshness, selfishness, stubbornness, pride, moodiness, or indiscretion? Do they try to avoid you? Do they avoid you? When others talk about you, do they have to make excuses for your conduct? Do they pass over you for invitations or assignments, because you are more irritating than pleasing? Many people have missed great opportunities because they had bad reputations. We must examine ourselves to see what kind of impact we have on those around us.
The second verse says "The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all." (Pro. 22:2) The differences between rich and poor appear to be large in the present world. Yet rich and poor do have some things in common. Those who are rich and those who are poor share the same Creator. Yahweh has made them all. Both rich and poor tend to see each other through stereotypes and should remember this towards each other, but at the throne of God's grace the poor are as welcome as the rich.
We see that true humility and the fear of the Lord lead to riches, and honour, and life. These two qualities are connected. Humility is a proper view of self; fear of the LORD is a proper view of God. The person who has these two qualities is well on their way on the path the wisdom.
As we read further down we see "the rich rules over the poor" in verse 7. Proverbs 22:2 told us that there was one important respect in which rich and poor were the same; this proverb reminds us of a way they are very different. Rich people have more authority and voice in the community than the poor do. We also see that we must avoid borrowing and stay away from debt.
"He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor." Proverbs 22:9. He that seeks to relieve the wants and miseries of others shall be blessed. We should be generous to those in need, lending a helping hand and be kind to those in want.
The proverbs of Solomon are full of wisdom, words that we can apply to all areas of our lives even today in this day and age. He admonishes us against the following vices
1. Laziness: "The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets." (Pr 22:13)
2. Lust: "The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein. (Pr 22:14)
3. Discipline: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart fro it." (Pr 22:6)
4. Injustice: "He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich shall surely come to want." (Pr 22:16)
5. Friendship: "Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul." (Pr 22:24-25)
6. Stay away from the debts of others. (Pr 22:26-27)
7. The reward of a truly diligent man is that he will rise. The excellence of a man or woman’s work can give them great standing in the world. "Seest thou a an diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men." (Pr 22:29)
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, please make me obedient to your word, help me to be diligent, to live a life of humility and righteousness. Help me to always remember that you created the rich and the poor, and that we are all the same before you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
References
Holy Bible (KJV), www.enduringword.com, www.biblestudytools.com Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, www.christianity.com Matthew Henry's Bible Commenatry (concise), www.letgodbetrue.com
