Proverbs 22:1. A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
I never really liked my name growing up. When people heard my name they would inevitably make a joke about the Brady Bunch TV show. If they didn’t get my name wrong by accident (Brad, Bradley, Grady), they would get it wrong on purpose, sometimes in cruel ways.
But this proverb, obviously, is not talking about our name at birth. It’s talking about something far more valuable than great riches, your character and reputation. The truth is, many people with great fame and wealth do not have a great reputation. Their character is often lacking. Many people with silver and gold carry no favor with others. They are pompous or even cruel.
What do people think of when they think about you? Your money? The clothes you wear? The car you drive? The home you live in? Those vacation pics? Or do they think about your integrity? Do they remember your kindness? Do they recall the joy and peace you bring to others?
Christ set aside his silver and gold in the heavenlies in order to keep his good name. God had made a promise. He had staked his entire reputation on his ability to save his people from their sins. In order to rescue us, Jesus would have to put his name above his riches. Which he did! Even to the point of losing all earthly honor and status. But now, by his resurrection and ascension, Christ has been given the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess his character, his integrity, his honor, his reputation.
In Christ, you have a new name too. His name. The name Christian, given to us out of disdain, has become our glorious identification with Christ. We stake our claim to his name! His reputation. His honor. His glory. His character. We humbly and boldly carry his name with us wherever we go, for we are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
But it is not only a name change that is ours in him. Our character is actually changing as well. The Spirit dwelling in our hearts is forming in us the image of Christ. By Christ in us we are able to choose to live up to our new name. We can love like Jesus, care like Jesus, respond like Jesus, be faithful like Jesus, tell the truth like Jesus, and obey like Jesus. The question is, is this kind of Christ-like favor more valuable to you than silver or gold? I know it is.
You: Do you care more about your reputation than your riches?
You in Christ: How does Christ in us work to transform us into his character and reputation?
Christ in you: Do you wear the name “Christian” boldly? Do people know that you’re a Christian?
Pray: Father, continue to work the character of your son into my life and out of my life by your gracious favor. Amen.
To Live is Christ 