Proverbs 22:1 is God’s command to choose “a good name”, which means “a person whose name is “credible, honorable, reputable, and highly esteemed”, for our name “represents the kind of person we are, and if or not others trust us, want to be our friend, and do business with us.
Proverbs 22:4 is God’s promise if we are humble or have strong reverence for the Lord, He will give us wealth, honor, and long life, for this is what God sees in our “good name”.
Proverbs 22:6 is God’s promise to parents who “train” their children to love Him, live in agreement with His word and will, and they will still love, praise, thank, and worship God when they are old, which people associate with their “good name”.
Proverbs 22:17-21 is God’s word-picture of what it means to choose “a good name over great riches”; “our good name is the great riches with which God honors us”, and it is most precious.
Proverbs 22:1-29 (NLT)—1 Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. 2 The rich and poor have this in common: The LORD made them both. 3 A prudent (wise) person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. 4 True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life. 5 Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it. 6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. 7 Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end. 9 Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. 10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear. 11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend. 12 The LORD preserves those with knowledge, but he wrecks the plans of the treacherous. 13 The lazy person claims, “There is a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!” 14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap; those who make the LORD angry will fall into it. 15 A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away. 16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty. 17 Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. 18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips. 19 I am teaching you today—yes, you—so you will trust in the LORD. 20 I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. 21 In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you. 22 Do not rob the poor just because you can or exploit the needy in court. 23 For the LORD is their defender. He will destroy anyone who destroys them. 24 Do not befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, 25 or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul. 26 Do not agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put-up security for someone else. 27 If you cannot pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you. 28 Do not cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations. 29 Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.
The greatest gift fathers and mothers can give their children is “a good name”, meaning to tell their children who are grown and leaving home to begin their life, their parents have kept their character, name, and reputation clean, honorable, and respectable, for them, which is what my parents did for their children, and we did the same for our children, for them to pass the “good name” to their children.
Scoffers and God-haters, those with an evil name, lifestyle, character, and personality may despise the Lord Jesus Christ, but His name is “above every name, cherished, honored, and praised, by His children, for “all God’s authority and power” is in the name “Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17), and Christians, members of Christ’s body, the church, may use “the Lord’s name” whenever we have a need, for “there is wonder-working power in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord”, for He gave the members of His body, the church, a holly, pure name full of miracle-working power, feel free to use Jesus’ name for His glory and honor.
Jim Nabors
