A Good Name

TITLE: A GOOD NAME

SCRIPTURE: PROVERBS 22:1

I have been thinking much about growing older as various aches and pains continue to show up in my body. Time is not slowing down for any of us. Seems like yesterday we were young and full of energy and oftentimes wonder where the time went and how did it pass so quickly. I have even begun to take an inventory of my life to determine the adjustments I need to make now, before it is too late. If someone looks back on your life years from now, what will they remember about you? None of us will probably have our names in future history books; what will likely happen is that we will be remembered by those whose lives we have touched.

There's an old saying -- "if you want to know how to live your life, think about what you would like people to say about you after you die ... And live backward." The idea is that we earn our eulogy by our everyday actions. What do people think when they hear your name? Do they think of --

• Graciousness

• Godliness

• Integrity?

• Does your name bring cheerful thoughts to them?

• Are they encouraged by your presence?

• Or does your name bring thoughts of bitterness and harshness?

• Do they think you are rude or moody or ungrateful?

• Are you spoken about with respect and affection, or critically and negatively?

Solomon in this exciting text made a comparison between “A GOOD NAME” AND “GREAT WEALTH.” If we can only have one of these, it is far more important and worthwhile to have the “GOOD NAME.” Why did Solomon make this comparison? It was not just because both have value – though it is certainly true that both are worth a great deal. In addition to the fact that both have value, they are both Obtained - Maintained - Retained in much the same way.

The value of your name is in direct proportion to your character.

• A good name is more valuable than riches because it can’t be bought with money

• It has to be earned day by day by every decision you make

• It means living in such a way that earns the trust of others

There was a movie that came out over the holidays in 2006 entitled “Last Holiday” featuring Queen Latifa. She plays the character Georgia Byrd a shy, unassuming salesperson in the cookware department at Kragen's Department Store in New Orleans and a Baptist choir singer. During the Christmas season, she bumps her head. Taken to the store's health center for a CT Scan, she is told by the company physician she has several brain tumors resulting from a rare terminal neurological disorder. Georgia resigns herself to having only a few weeks to live. She quits her job, liquidates her assets, and sets off on a dream vacation at the deluxe hotel in the Czech Republic.

• She checks into the Presidential Suite

• Buys a designer wardrobe in expensive boutiques

• She makes extensive use of the hotel's spa facilities

• Attempts snowboarding

• Enjoys succulent meals prepared by a world-renowned Chef

After all of this lavish living and spending she receives a fax that the Physician made a mistake, and she has no tumors, and she is very healthy after all. Can I ask you a question this morning? What would you do if told you had a few months or a year to live? Would it change your life? Of course, it would. But what would you do with the time you had left? Would you --

• Go wild

• Lose control, and do anything you want without conscience?

• Sulk and have a big pity party?

• Sit around feeling sorry for yourself in depression?

• Drink and eat more than is reasonable?

We are a product of what we have already been and done in our lifetime.

• If we did little with our life, we would probably do more of the same - only intensified

• We would likely continue the same habits

• If we lived a life of substance; we would work at being the best we could be with the time we had left

If we are living a life of value, we would smell the roses, waste less time on things that have no meaning - value our friendships more, - and work harder at things that count and have meaning in our lives.

• Our love for those vital to our lives would grow even more

• We would start seeing more positivity and less negativity in this world

• We would care more about those in need and help those we can

• We would not want to waste a single day and appreciate each day for what it is - a miracle