A Good Name

Proverbs 22:1 tells us, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches….”  And Ecclesiastes 7: 1 “A good name is better than precious ointment….”
Did you ever research the meaning of your name, or your family name? My maiden name is Bentley, an old English name, meaning: a clearing covered with bent grass. I like that image…. like a peaceful resting place surrounded by an abundance of tall trees.
An old poem I memorized in school was titled, Your Name. The part I remember is, ” You got it from your father, Was the best he had to give. Right gladly he bestowed it. It is yours the while you live. You may lose the watch he gave you, and another you may claim…but you’ll never hurt your father, if you’re careful of his name.” Author unknown.
I grew up in a proverbial small town where everybody knew just about everybody….or at least were familiar with the family name. It gave me a sense of pride when someone would say, “Oh I know your Dad (or your Mom, or a brother or sister).” They would usually add something like, “What a nice family you have.”….or something complimentary.
One thing my dad always took pride in was paying his debts….whether a deal was sealed with a signature or just a handshake. “A man is only as good as his word,” I heard him say more than once. Protecting our name was very important. He always made sure the bills were paid on time every month….even if it left little or none for extras. We didn’t have the best of everything, by the world’s standards, but what we had was good enough….and it was paid for. As Dad’s health failed and he entered the hospital for the last time, he hesitated, saying he didn’t want to die owing anybody money.
The dream of many young people today is to be famous and have everybody know their name. There’s nothing wrong with this dream as long as what they are trying to excel at is respectable and offers a positive influence for others. My prayer is that before they get too excited about making a name for themselves, they will take time to get to know the one whose name is above all others.
Born in a stable, with a manger for his bed, Jesus Christ was best known for His ability to heal and lead others to the kingdom of God. Fame and fortune were never His goals, but rather honoring His Father. Saving the world from the evils of sin by offering himself as the supreme sacrifice in order for us to have eternal life….that was His ultimate goal.
If we seek fame, or if we’re satisfied simply to live an honorable life, we need to heed the advice in Colossians 3: 17  “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”  In the Old Testament, God is called by the name Jehovah. The Hebrews thought it blasphemous to even say their name for God aloud, so it was written, YHWH and pronounced Yahweh.  ” God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3: 16.
Philippians 2: 9 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…..11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
All that we do or hope to do should not be for the praise of man, but for the Lord. Acts 4: 12 “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Whether it be our earthly father or our heavenly Father, we are instructed to honor them both. Whatever our hopes and dreams may be, if we place them with Jesus, they will be fulfilled….in His time and His way. Most importantly, we must follow His example….and always be careful of His good name.