A Good Name Is Worth More Than Gold
Why The Reputation You Build Today Will Speak Long After Your Voice Has Become Silent
Scripture References – Proverbs 22:1 – Ecclesiastes 7:1
"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold."
"A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one's birth."
Some Personal Reflection
As I grow older, I find myself thinking more and more about a question that every one of us will eventually answer—not with our words, but with our lives.
How do I want to be remembered when I am long gone?
One person popped into my mind as I was preparing this. This man and his life and times are a joy to speak about, and so today I honor and dedicate this devotional to my friend Beryl Clemens Smith – 1938 - ____
This dash, from 1938 to today tells the story of one of God’s choice Saints who has fought the good fight for nearly 90 years, and his love for his Savior and desire to be a kingdom builder remains as strong today as it ever did. He is a prayer warrior like no one I’ve even known, and I only wish I could be more like him. Beryl was my Co- Director of In Perfect Peace MInistries for many years, faithfully coming to prisons week after week, writing faithfully to more than 200 men…. The Memories Run Deep! Thank you Beryl.
Imagine for a moment that years have passed since the Lord called you home. Your name comes up during an ordinary conversation among family members, close friends, or those who knew you well.
What will they say?
Will your name bring a smile to their faces and gratitude to their hearts? Will they remember a man or woman marked by humility, integrity, faithfulness, kindness, honesty, compassion, perseverance, and unwavering devotion to Jesus Christ? Will they say, "He was the same person in private that he was in public. His word could always be trusted. He genuinely loved people, and his life consistently pointed others to Christ." “There was much fruit hanging on Beryl’s tree.”
Or will the conversation reveal the painful truth about who you really were?
Will they remember broken promises, selfish ambition, uncontrolled anger, compromise, pride, dishonesty, or a life that professed Christ with the lips but denied Him by the way it was lived?
Permit me to ask another sobering question.
Could your character withstand careful cross-examination?
If every word, every motive, every private decision, every relationship, and every priority were laid before the courtroom of truth, would your life testify in your favor? Would the evidence consistently point to a man or woman who genuinely sought to glorify God?
None of us will leave behind a perfect testimony, for we all stumble in many ways. But by God's grace, we should leave behind a believable one—a life that unmistakably demonstrated genuine repentance, growing holiness, and steadfast faith.
Personally, I have only one lasting ambition.
When my race has finally been run and my work on earth is finished, I pray that those who knew me best will not remember my affliction, my accomplishments, or even the years I spent in prison ministry. Instead, I hope they will simply say,
"He loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart. He faithfully fulfilled the work God entrusted to him, and he served his Savior until his very last breath."
If that can honestly be said of my life, then I will have succeeded beyond anything this world could ever offer.
My prayer is that the same will be true of you.
May your name become synonymous with faithfulness.
May your character withstand the closest examination.
May your reputation honor the Savior whose name you bear.
And when your life is finally over, may those who remember you be reminded—not primarily of you—but of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom you loved, served, and faithfully followed to the very end.
Introduction – The One Possession No One Can Take From You
There are some things in life that can be stolen in a moment. A man's money can disappear overnight. His health can vanish with one doctor's diagnosis. His career can end with one phone call. His freedom can be taken by a judge. Even those closest to us may one day walk away.
But there is one possession whose value exceeds all earthly wealth—a possession that is forged over years of faithful living and can outlive us by generations.
It is our name.
Not the name written on our birth certificate, but the reputation attached to it.
When someone hears your name, what immediately comes to mind?
Do they think of honesty...or deception?
Faithfulness...or excuses?
Humility...or pride?
Dependability...or broken promises?
Kindness...or anger?
Can they trust your word without hesitation?
That is exactly the issue Solomon addresses in Proverbs 22:1
"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches..."
Notice the word chosen.
A good name does not happen accidentally. It is not inherited from our parents, purchased with money, or achieved through popularity. It is chosen every single day through thousands of seemingly small decisions.
Every promise you keep...
Every temptation you resist...
Every harsh word you refuse to speak...
Every act of kindness no one notices...
Every time you tell the truth when lying would be easier…
You are either strengthening your name—or weakening it.
This proverb comes from Solomon, the wisest king who ever lived apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. Solomon understood wealth better than perhaps any man in history. His kingdom overflowed with silver and gold.
Kings traveled across continents simply to hear his wisdom. If anyone had the right to tell us what is truly valuable, it was Solomon.
Yet after possessing unimaginable riches, he declares that something is worth far more.
Your name.
That statement runs contrary to almost everything our culture teaches.
The world tells us to pursue success.
God tells us to pursue character.
The world celebrates image.
God examines integrity.
The world is impressed by influence.
God is impressed by faithfulness.
Money may open doors, but character determines whether you remain in the room.
Possessions may attract attention, but integrity earns trust.
Riches can buy comfort, but they cannot purchase respect.
The remarkable thing about Proverbs 22:1 is that it is not merely speaking about what PEOPLE think of us. Scripture never encourages us to become people-pleasers. Rather, Solomon is describing the natural fruit of a life consistently lived before GOD.
When a man genuinely fears God, loves truth, keeps his word, walks humbly, and treats others with dignity, his reputation generally reflects those virtues.
While the righteous may still be hated by evil men—as Joseph, Daniel, and ultimately Christ Himself were—a life of integrity leaves an unmistakable testimony.
History repeatedly proves this principle.
Joseph entered Egypt as a slave, yet Potiphar trusted him with everything he owned.
Joseph entered prison falsely accused, yet the jailer entrusted him with the entire prison.
Joseph stood before Pharaoh as a forgotten prisoner, yet by day's end he governed the greatest nation on earth.
What changed?
His circumstances?
No.
His reputation followed him wherever he went.
The same was true of Daniel.
Though carried away as a captive into Babylon, Daniel became so trustworthy that his enemies searched desperately for corruption and found none. They finally admitted,
"We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God." (Daniel 6:5)
What an incredible testimony.
Imagine living so consistently that your enemies cannot accuse your character.
Then there is Timothy.
Before Paul ever met him, Scripture says he was "well reported of by the brethren." His reputation arrived before he did. (Acts 16:2)
And Demetrius received perhaps one of the greatest compliments in all of Scripture:
"Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself." (3 John 1:12)
These men remind us that godly character is never wasted.
Perhaps nowhere is this truth more important than inside prison walls.
In prison, a man's reputation often becomes his greatest possession.
Other men quickly discover who keeps his word.
Who starts trouble?
Who gossips?
Who manipulates?
Who borrows without repaying?
Who remains faithful when no one is watching?
Who claims Christ on Sunday but lives differently Monday through Saturday?
Time has a way of exposing everyone.
Eventually your reputation begins speaking before you ever enter the room.
That should cause every one of us to stop and ask an uncomfortable question:
If my name alone were mentioned today, what story would it tell?
Would it point people toward Christ?
Or away from Him?
Charles Spurgeon once wrote,
"A holy life is the best sermon. Loud professions without holy living are like thunder without rain."
How true.
Your greatest witness may never be a sermon you preach.
It may simply be the reputation you build over decades of quietly walking with God.
Long after your possessions are forgotten...
Long after your accomplishments fade...
Long after your body returns to the dust...
Your name will continue speaking.
The question is…
What will it say?
Main Point #1 – Character Is Built Long Before Reputation Is Seen
One of the greatest misconceptions people have is believing that a reputation can somehow be manufactured. In today's world, image often takes precedence over integrity. Social media allows people to carefully craft how they wish to be perceived, while concealing who they really are. God, however, has never been interested in image management. He is interested in heart transformation.
A good name is not created by clever words or public recognition. It is the natural result of godly character consistently lived out over time.
Think of a mighty oak tree. No one notices it growing from one day to the next. Yet year after year its roots grow deeper, its trunk grows stronger, and eventually it becomes a landmark that withstands storms which uproot weaker trees.
Character develops the same way. Every act of honesty strengthens it. Every temptation resisted deepens it. Every difficult decision made in obedience to Christ adds another ring to the tree.
The opposite is equally true.
Character is rarely destroyed all at once. It erodes gradually through little compromises that seem insignificant at the time. A small lie. An unkept promise. A dishonest motive. A hidden sin. One act of gossip. One bitter spirit left unchecked.
Solomon warned repeatedly that "dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment" (Ecclesiastes 10:1).
That verse is a gem, and I think it's worth unpacking just a little unpackong because it perfectly illustrates how fragile a good reputation can be.
You could replace that brief sentence with something like this:
Solomon understood how easily a good reputation can be damaged. He wrote, "Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor" (Ecclesiastes 10:1).
In Solomon's day, expensive perfumes and fragrant oils were prized possessions. Yet all it took was a single dead fly to spoil the entire mixture, turning what was once sweet-smelling into something offensive. In the same way, years of integrity can be overshadowed by ONE act of foolishness. Countless numbers of my friends in prison will sadly bear this out.
One moment of dishonesty, one uncontrolled outburst, one immoral decision, or one act of compromise can stain a reputation that took decades to build. This does not mean that God's grace cannot forgive or restore, but it reminds us that our character must be carefully guarded every day.
A good name is far too precious to be sacrificed for a moment of sinful pleasure or careless neglect.
Years of honorable living can be overshadowed by a single foolish decision.
That is why Scripture continually points us toward the heart. Proverbs 4:23 declares,
"KEEP your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."
Everything begins there.
Our words reveal our hearts.
Our attitudes reveal our hearts.
Our reactions under pressure reveal our hearts.
When no one else is watching, God is still examining the inner man.
David understood this after his terrible sins with Bathsheba. He did not merely pray for better behavior. He cried,
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
He knew that changed conduct begins with a changed heart.
Joseph illustrates this beautifully.
Before anyone knew Joseph as Egypt's governor, God knew him as a faithful young man. Before Pharaoh ever trusted him with a nation, Joseph had already demonstrated integrity as a servant and later as a prisoner. When Potiphar's wife tempted him, Joseph refused because he feared God more than he feared losing his position.
His reputation was simply the visible fruit of an invisible walk with God.
Charles Spurgeon wisely observed,
"Integrity is the robe of Christ's servants. Let us never wear another garment."
What a statement!
Every believer is wearing a garment before the watching world. Some wear garments stained by compromise. Others wear garments adorned with humility, honesty, kindness, and faithfulness.
Which garment are you wearing today?
Never underestimate the importance of seemingly ordinary obedience. Heaven notices every decision made for the glory of Christ. Long before others recognize your reputation, God is quietly building your character.
A good name is never an accident.
It is the harvest of thousands of faithful choices made when only God was watching.
Main Point #2 – Trust Is Earned One Decision At A Time
Few things are more valuable in human relationships than trust.
Money cannot buy it.
Position cannot demand it.
Titles cannot guarantee it.
Trust must be earned.
It is earned through consistency.
When people know your word is dependable, your reputation begins to grow. When they discover that your "yes" truly means yes and your "no" means no, they begin to place confidence in your character.
Jesus emphasized this principle in Matthew 5:37:
"But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."
Our Lord was teaching that God's people should be known for such honesty that elaborate promises become unnecessary. Their word alone should carry weight.
How desperately our generation needs that kind of integrity.
We live in a culture where contracts replace handshakes because promises are so frequently broken. Excuses have become common. Blame has become fashionable. Personal responsibility has become increasingly rare.
The follower of Christ must be different.
Paul instructed believers to provide "things honest in the sight of all men" (Romans 12:17). He wanted Christians to be above suspicion, conducting themselves in such a way that even unbelievers recognized their integrity.
Daniel is perhaps the greatest Old Testament example.
His political enemies searched relentlessly for corruption.
Imagine government officials investigating every financial record, every conversation, every decision, hoping to uncover dishonesty.
They found nothing.
Scripture says,
"They could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him."
What an astonishing testimony.
Daniel was not trusted because he demanded respect.
He was trusted because he had earned it.
Likewise, Timothy was already well respected before Paul invited him into ministry. Acts 16 tells us he "was well spoken of by the brethren." His reputation preceded him.
This is one reason Scripture places such emphasis on elders maintaining "a good testimony among those who are outside" (1 Timothy 3:7).
Leadership begins with credibility.
Someone once said,
"Your reputation is what people THINK you are. Your character is what God KNOWS you are." (Sounds to me like Spurgeon)
There is truth in that statement.
But when a man consistently walks with God, those two become increasingly aligned.
Trust grows slowly.
Like a savings account, every truthful word is a deposit.
Every promise kept is another deposit.
Every act of kindness is another deposit.
Every display of humility is another deposit
But dishonesty makes withdrawals.
So does gossip.
So does anger.
So does manipulation.
Eventually, a man who continually makes withdrawals discovers there is nothing left in his account.
This is why Solomon urges us to prize a good name above silver and gold.
Riches may make life easier for a season.
But trust opens doors that money never can.
The late John MacArthur once remarked that “the most powerful testimony of the Christian life is sustained obedience over time”.
That observation captures Proverbs 22:1 perfectly.
Your reputation is not established by one dramatic moment.
It is established by thousands of ordinary moments lived faithfully before God.
Every day your name is becoming something.
The question is…
What is it becoming?
Main Point #3 – A Damaged Reputation Can Be Restored Through Genuine Repentance And Faithful Perseverance
One of Satan's greatest lies is this: "You've ruined your life. You'll never recover. No one will ever trust you again."
Many people behind prison walls have believed that lie.
Perhaps you are one of them.
You know your past better than anyone else. You remember the broken promises, the shattered relationships, the poor decisions, and the people you have hurt. You understand why your name may have once produced disappointment, fear, or distrust. You cannot erase yesterday, nor can you rewrite history.
But here is the wonderful news of the gospel:
While you cannot change your past, Jesus Christ can change your future.
The Bible is filled with men and women whose reputations were marred by grievous sin, yet whose lives became trophies of God's redeeming grace.
Consider Peter.
On the darkest night of his life, he denied his Lord three times. The man who boldly declared, "Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be," crumbled before the accusations of a servant girl. If anyone appeared to have destroyed his testimony forever, it was Peter.
Yet after Christ's resurrection, Jesus lovingly restored him beside the Sea of Galilee. Three times Jesus asked, "Do you love Me?"
And three times He commissioned Peter to feed His sheep.
Peter's greatest failure did not become the end of his story because God's grace was greater than Peter's sin. (Romans 5:20)
Think also of Zacchaeus.
Known throughout Jericho as a dishonest tax collector, he had built his wealth by exploiting others. His reputation was one of greed and corruption. But after encountering Christ, everything changed. His repentance was not merely emotional—it was visible. He restored what he had stolen and gave generously to the poor.
Repentance always produces fruit.
David likewise stained his reputation through adultery and murder. Though forgiven by God, he endured painful consequences for the remainder of his life. Yet God still called him "a man after My own heart" because David humbled himself, confessed his sin, and returned wholeheartedly to the Lord.
These examples remind us of an important truth:
Forgiveness is immediate. Trust is gradual.
God forgives completely the moment we genuinely repent.
People often require time.
That is not hypocrisy—it is reality.
Trust must be rebuilt through consistent faithfulness.
If your reputation has been damaged, do not become discouraged because others remain cautious. Continue walking faithfully anyway.
Keep your word.
Tell the truth.
Serve others.
Remain humble.
Be patient.
Over time, people begin to notice consistency. Eventually your present life begins to speak louder than your past failures.
Spurgeon wisely said,
"By perseverance the snail reached the ark."
What an encouraging picture.
The man who faithfully walks with Christ day after day will eventually silence many doubts simply by the consistency of his life.
Remember, you are not trying to impress people.
You are seeking to honor Christ.
And when your life consistently reflects Him, your reputation becomes a testimony—not to your goodness—but to His transforming grace.
Main Point #4 – Live So That The Name Of Jesus Is Honored Through Yours
Ultimately, Proverbs 22:1 is not merely about protecting OUR personal reputation.
It is about protecting the reputation of the One whose name we bear.
As Christians, we carry a far greater name than our own.
We bear the name of Jesus Christ.
Every believer becomes an ambassador of Heaven. Whether we realize it or not, people often form opinions about Christ by observing those who claim to follow Him.
That reality should humble every one of us.
Paul instructed Titus that believers should live in such a way as to "adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things."
Think about that expression.
We cannot improve the gospel.
We cannot make Christ more glorious than He already is.
But through holy living we can adorn the gospel much like a beautiful frame enhances a priceless painting. Our conduct either beautifies our profession of faith or contradicts it.
Nothing damages Christian witness more than hypocrisy.
The unbelieving world expects Christians to fail at times. What often confuses them is when believers refuse to admit their failures, make excuses for their sin, or live no differently than everyone else.
Integrity is not perfection.
Integrity is honesty.
It is humility.
It is being the same person in private that you are in public.
Paul told the Philippians to become "blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world."
Light does not announce itself.
It simply shines.
Likewise, a godly reputation quietly points others toward Christ.
Joseph never preached a sermon in Egypt, yet Pharaoh saw the wisdom of God in him.
Daniel never compromised his convictions, and even pagan kings acknowledged the greatness of Daniel's God.
The early Christians turned the Roman Empire upside down, not because they possessed wealth or political influence, but because their lives displayed extraordinary love, honesty, courage, and hope.
History remembers them because they first sought to honor Christ rather than themselves.
John Calvin wrote,
"We belong to God. Therefore let His wisdom and His will govern all our actions."
That is the heart of a good name.
The greatest compliment anyone could ever give us is not that we are successful...
or intelligent...
or talented…
but that spending time with us causes them to think more highly of Jesus Christ.
One day every believer will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
On that day our bank accounts will be meaningless.
Our earthly titles will disappear.
Our accomplishments will fade into the background.
What will matter is whether we faithfully represented the Savior whose name we carried.
May it be said of each one of us that our names pointed others to the greatest Name of all—
Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Prison Application – Your Reputation Is One Of The Most Valuable Things You Possess Behind Prison Walls
There are few places where a man's reputation matters more than inside prison.
The men around you are watching far more closely than you may realize. They observe how you react when someone disrespects you.
They notice whether your word can be trusted. They know whether you are honest, dependable, humble, or whether you constantly create conflict. Before long, your reputation begins speaking before you ever enter the room.
In prison, your reputation becomes your introduction.
Are you known as a peacemaker or a troublemaker?
A servant or a user?
A man of truth or a man who tells others what they want to hear?
James warns us about being "double-minded" (James 1:8).
A double-minded man changes with every circumstance. He tells one person one story and another person something completely different. He cannot be depended upon because no one ever knows where he truly stands.
That kind of reputation is dangerous anywhere, but especially in prison. Once trust is lost, it is extremely difficult to regain.
As followers of Christ, we are called to something much higher.
Your fellow inmates should know that when you give your word, you will keep it. They should know you refuse to gossip, manipulate, deceive, or stir up division.
They should see that you treat officers, staff, visitors, and fellow prisoners with dignity and respect because you answer to a higher authority—Jesus Christ.
Remember Joseph.
Even inside prison he earned the complete confidence of the keeper of the prison because of his faithfulness. Daniel earned the trust of pagan kings because of his integrity. Their circumstances did not determine their reputation. Their character did.
Perhaps your past has damaged your name.
Maybe people remember the man you USED to be.
Do not become discouraged.
You cannot change yesterday, but by God's grace you can change today.
Every truthful conversation...
Every promise kept...
Every act of humility...
Every quiet decision to obey Christ…
Is another brick in rebuilding your reputation.
It may take months.
It may take years.
But faithful obedience never goes unnoticed by God.
One day, may it be said of you by both believers and unbelievers alike:
"If that man says he will do something, you can COUNT on him."
That is a reputation worth more than silver and gold.
Final Thought – What Will YOUR Name Mean When You Are Gone?
Every one of us is writing a story.
Not with ink.
Not with a keyboard.
But with our lives.
Every decision, every conversation, every attitude, every act of obedience becomes another sentence in the story that others will remember long after we are gone.
One day someone will speak your name.
What will they remember?
Will they remember a man who loved Christ?
A man who kept his word?
A man who admitted when he was wrong?
A man whose life reflected humility, kindness, forgiveness, and faithfulness?
Or will they remember broken promises, bitterness, selfishness, and compromise?
Solomon tells us that a good name is worth more than great riches because riches stay behind when we die.
Character does not.
The influence of a godly life continues through the people we have encouraged, the lives we have touched, and the Savior we have pointed others toward.
Perhaps no one expressed this better than the Apostle Paul as he approached the end of his life:
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
That is the testimony every believer should desire.
Whether you have been walking with Christ for fifty years or have only recently come to know Him, today is another opportunity to strengthen your name by honoring HIS.
Never forget that your greatest reputation is not what people think about you.
It is what God knows to be true.
Live each day so faithfully that your name quietly points others to the Name above every name.
When people remember you, may they ultimately remember Jesus Christ.
As Robert Murray M'Cheyne wisely said,
"The greatest need of my people is my personal holiness."
May the same be true of each one of us.
Reflection Questions
When people hear my name, what qualities do they most likely associate with it?
Is my reputation growing stronger or weaker because of my daily choices?
Are there broken relationships or damaged trust that I need to begin restoring?
Am I known as a man whose word can be trusted without hesitation?
In what practical ways can I strengthen my Christian testimony where I live today?
Does my life draw people closer to Christ, or does it create obstacles to the gospel?
If I were to stand before Christ today, would I hear that I faithfully honored His name with my life?
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for reminding us that a good name is far more valuable than earthly riches. Forgive us for the times we have dishonored You through careless words, broken promises, or sinful attitudes
Create within us clean hearts and steadfast spirits that desire to please You above all else.
Help us to become men and women of integrity—people whose words can be trusted, whose actions reflect the character of Christ, and whose lives point others to our Savior.
Where our reputation has been damaged, give us the humility to repent and the perseverance to faithfully rebuild trust through consistent obedience.
May our greatest desire be to honor the precious name of Jesus in everything we say and do until the day You call us home.
For His glory alone, we pray. Amen.
From: Fight the Good Fight of Faith / Life Journal: by Gregg Harris
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