Introduction

Welcome, dear friends and family. We gather here, in this place of peace and worship. A place we know well. A place we call home. Our hearts are open. Our spirits are ready. We're here to learn. To grow. To understand.

Today, we turn to the book of wisdom. Proverbs 22:1, it says,

"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."

Simple words. Yet, they hold so much truth. So much wisdom.

We live in a world that often values things. Money. Possessions. Status. But this verse, it tells us something different. It tells us that virtue, a pure name, and morality are worth more. More than silver or gold.

Major Ian Thomas once said, "A man could have all the money in all the banks in all the world, and be worth nothing so far as God is concerned, if he were still living "to and for himself"!" Money a difficult topic to discuss but it’s an important one. Today, we’ll talk about not only money but also about being virtuous and having a good name.

So, let's open our hearts today. Let's open our minds. Let's listen to God's word. Let's understand His wisdom. Let's learn how to value virtue. How to keep our names pure. How to fight for morality.

Let us pray.

Dear Lord, we thank You for this day. For this gathering. For Your word. Your wisdom. Open our hearts, Lord. Open our minds. Help us to understand Your word. To apply it in our lives. To live by it. To fight for virtue. To keep our names pure. To uphold morality. Bless us, Lord. Guide us. Teach us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Let's begin.

Value of Virtue

In the world we live in, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of material wealth. We're often told that success is measured by the size of our bank accounts, the cars we drive, the houses we live in. But the wisdom of the Proverbs tells us something different. It tells us that a good name, a reputation built on virtue, is more desirable than great riches.

A truth that challenges the values of our society: It's a call to prioritize character over wealth, integrity over possessions. It's a reminder that our worth is not determined by what we have, but by who we are.

But what does it mean to value virtue? What does it look like in our daily lives?

Firstly: Valuing virtue means living with integrity. Integrity is about being honest, being true to our word, being consistent in our actions. It's about doing what's right, even when no one is watching. It's about being the same person in private that we are in public. When we live with integrity, we build a good name for ourselves. People trust us. They respect us. They know they can rely on us. And this trust, this respect, this reliability, is worth more than silver or gold.

Secondly: Valuing virtue means treating others with kindness and respect. It's about recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every person. It's about treating others the way we want to be treated. When we treat others with kindness and respect, we build positive relationships. We create a community of love and support. We make the world a better place. And this love, this support, this better world, is worth more than silver or gold.

Thirdly: Valuing virtue means pursuing justice. It's about standing up for what's right, even when it's hard. It's about using our resources, our influence, our voices, to fight for those who can't fight for themselves. When we pursue justice, we make a difference in the world. We bring about positive change. We help to create a society that is fair and just. And this difference, this change, this fair and just society, is worth more than silver or gold.

Fourthly: Valuing virtue means living with humility. It's about recognizing that we're not perfect, that we have flaws and weaknesses. It's about being willing to admit when we're wrong, to ask for forgiveness, to learn and grow. When we live with humility, we become better people. We become more compassionate, more understanding, more forgiving. We become more like the person God wants us to be. And this growth, this compassion, this understanding, this forgiveness, is worth more than silver or gold.

Praise of a Pure Name

As we continue to reflect on the wisdom of Proverbs 22:1, we find ourselves drawn to the significance of a pure name ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO