Noun, singular or mass needless, superfluous.Adjective unneeded, needless, superfluous, gratuitous, dispensable.These include the newly published, ”Marketplace Ambassadors” “Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace” “Tufting Legacies,” “The Heart of Mentoring,” and “Pursuing Life With a Shepherd’s Heart.” A weekly business meditation he edits, “Monday Manna,” is translated into more than 20 languages and sent via email around the world by CBMC International. Bob has written, co-authored and edited more than 15 books. Tamasy is a veteran journalist, former newspaper editor and magazine editor. If we can succeed at doing this consistently, our good name mostly likely will remain secure.
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24). ‘Everything is permissible’ – but not everything is constructive. As the apostle Paul wrote, “‘Everything is permissible’ – but not everything is beneficial. Putting the interests of others is one powerful means for avoiding calamitous stumbles. The junkyard of reputations has been filled by folks who seemed to be living upright lives – until the time they didn’t. So, it seems a good name is something we should always be striving to establish and protect, but there’s no time to let down our guard. Interestingly, King David of Israel, who wrote many of the psalms, apparently didn’t always keep this admonition in the forefront of his mind, given his tragic moral lapses. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:9-11). The psalmist presents us with this wise observation: “How can a young man make his way pure? By living according to word…. Then you win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:4). We’re advised in Proverbs 3:4, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Social chameleons aren’t known for their good names. Acting like one type of person in one setting but behaving like someone entirely different in a different environment is no way to build a good name – or solid reputation. We need to have a clear understanding of those values we hold dear and the principles that dictate how and why we do and say what we do. Since one’s reputation and good name are so closely linked, the same can be said of both: It takes a lifetime to build a solid reputation (and good name), but they can be destroyed in a single moment of foolish or reckless behavior. Proverbs 25:9-10 offers this caution: “If you argue your case with a neighbor, do not betray another man’s confidence, or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation.” We have to be consistent, steadfast in our resolve to speak words and do things that reflect positively on who we are. So, how do we earn – and maintain – a good name? It’s not a one-time thing.
Perhaps this is because you can always buy silver, gold or fine perfume you can’t purchase a good name. King Solomon, who wrote much of Proverbs and is widely regarded as the author the book of Ecclesiastes, also asserted, “A good name is better than fine perfume…” (Ecclesiastes 7:1). For instance, Proverbs 22:1 declares, “A good name is more desirable than great riches to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
There’s a huge difference between an enthusiastic “Hey, look, here come the McDougals!” and, “Uh-oh, here come the McDougals!” Our reputations precede us.īut is a good name all that important? Does it really matter what people think of us and our families? The Bible says it matters a lot. Once upon a time, families took great care to ensure the protection of their “good name.” Family members understood their words and actions reflected not only on themselves, but also on the reputation of their parents and siblings. Nonetheless, it was nice to hear someone speaking well of our family. My daughters and their husbands do all the hard work, raising and trying to properly guide their children – our grandchildren, of whom I’m admittedly very fond.