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“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” (Proverbs 22:1, NIV)

Today’s verse brings to mind a certain company that changed its name in hopes of outrunning its deservedly poor reputation. The only problem was that whenever this company was mentioned in the media after its name change, the reference always went something like, “the company formerly known as. . .”

Call it a “handle,” a “flag,” a “label,” or a “tag,” it’s still a name. Everyone has a name; but not everyone has a good name.

The Bible says that a good name is more desirable than great wealth. Indeed, a good name is the confidence you see looking back at you in the mirror; a good name blesses our children; a good name is the fragrance of righteousness.

Guard your good name (or rehabilitate it, if you’ve allowed it to founder) by being faithful and truthful in all of your dealings with others. – Luther

Tagged a good name, the book of Proverbs

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“Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.” (Proverbs 19:16, NIV)

There is an old saying: “Learn from the mistakes of others; you won’t live long enough to make them all yourself.”

The commandments of God are the best way to avoid the mistakes of others because God’s commandments have two purposes: To protect us; and to provide for us.

So many otherwise intelligent, talented, and resourceful people come to grief because they choose to ignore God’s wisdom and God’s commandments. Trying to learn everything from personal experience, they will destroy themselves long before reaching the end of every list of lessons.

Keeping God’s commandments does not inhibit living. On the contrary, it provides the length of days that makes living possible. – Luther

Tagged God's commandments, God's protection, God's provision, the book of Proverbs

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“Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore.'” (Ecclesiastes 12:1, NLT)

To “honor God” is to give weight to His will and His way in all that you do.

We “dishonor” God when we “dis” (as in “disregard,” “dismiss,” and “discard”) His invitations.

Most of us do not think of ourselves as “old” (even if we’ve passed the two-thirds point of our life expectancy). For such people — in particular — the words of Ecclesiastes have a message: Honor God while you can! Do not allow what the bible calls “the pride of life” to cause you to forget your Creator.

All living things are like grass: Waxing in the springtime, then waning in the autumn. All living things are like the flower: Fading at the end of its day.

It is far better at the end of our days — when our strength is waning — to have memories of God’s love, care, and faithfulness. Employ your vigor to make more such memories today! – Luther

Tagged honoring God, strategic living, the book of Ecclesiastes