Proverbs 22:1-16: a reflection

1A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold. 2The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is the maker of them all. 3A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it. 4The result of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, honor, and life. 5Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays far from them. 6Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. 7The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender. 8He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. 9He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. 10Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop. 11He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend. 12The LORD’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. 13The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!” 14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under the LORD’s wrath will fall into it. 15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline drives it far from him. 16Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.

This collection of proverbs opens with a statement about what is truly valuable: A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold. A good name, a reputation for integrity and goodness, is worth more, the proverb says, than great riches; and being held in loving regard is better than wealth. What we are, our character and the good name that reflects it, is more valuable than what we have, our silver and gold. A good name outweighs great riches.

Notice the comparison: a good name is worth more than great riches. The proverb sets the two side by side, a good name and great riches, and declares the good name more desirable. A reputation for integrity and goodness, a good name earned by a life of character, is of greater value than wealth; and to be held in loving regard is better than silver and gold. What we are is worth more than what we have; a good name, reflecting good character, outweighs riches. The truly valuable thing is not wealth, but a good name.

That is worth taking to heart, for we can value riches over the good name that is worth more. We can pursue wealth, prizing silver and gold, while giving less thought to our good name, our integrity and character; but the proverb says a good name is more desirable than great riches. What we are, our character and the good name it earns, is of greater value than what we have. Do not value riches over a good name; prize your integrity and good character, which earn a good name, above wealth, for a good name is more desirable than great riches. Value and guard your good name, your reputation for integrity and goodness, above the pursuit of silver and gold, as this proverb declares a good name more desirable than great riches; for what we are is worth more than what we have, and a good name, reflecting good character, outweighs all the riches we might gain.

Lord, this collection of proverbs opens with a statement about what is truly valuable: a good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold. A good name, a reputation for integrity and goodness, is worth more than great riches; and being held in loving regard is better than wealth. What I am, my character and the good name that reflects it, is more valuable than what I have. Show me the comparison: a good name is worth more than great riches. The proverb sets the two side by side and declares the good name more desirable. A reputation for integrity and goodness, a good name earned by a life of character, is of greater value than wealth. What I am is worth more than what I have; a good name outweighs riches. The truly valuable thing is not wealth, but a good name. Take that to my heart, for I can value riches over the good name that is worth more. I can pursue wealth, prizing silver and gold, while giving less thought to my good name, my integrity and character; but the proverb says a good name is more desirable than great riches. What I am, my character and the good name it earns, is of greater value than what I have. Keep me from valuing riches over a good name; help me prize my integrity and good character above wealth, Lord, for a good name is more desirable than great riches. Help me value and guard my good name, my reputation for integrity and goodness, above the pursuit of silver and gold.