A Good Name
Reputation & Integrity
Scripture
Proverbs 22:1
“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
Devotion
This proverb cuts against the grain of materialism. It says that what you are known for—your reputation, your character, how people speak of you when you are not in the room—is of greater value than financial wealth. A good name is built slowly, through consistent, right action. It is lost quickly, through one serious failure or betrayal of trust. And once lost, it is almost impossible to recover. This does not mean being obsessed with image or people-pleasing. It means understanding that your integrity is your actual wealth. Money can be lost and regained; a reputation for honesty, consistency, and reliability is harder to rebuild. Wisdom here is: invest in your character before you invest in your accumulation, because your character is what will sustain you.
Today’s Step
What do people say about you when you are not in the room? Is that reputation something you are proud of? What would need to change?
Prayer
Lord, let me build a good name through faithfulness and integrity. Protect me from the pursuit of riches at the cost of my character. Let me be someone whose word means something, whose actions align with their words, and whose reputation reflects Your character.