DEVOTION – DAY 170

Proverbs 22:1 “Importance Of One’s Reputation”

 

Prov.22:1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

 

In today’s society, many would look at this verse and cynically think it is out of date. Many people would think that money is more important than even reputation because money can buy almost anything a person can ever want. In Malaysia, an extreme example is the former Prime Minister, Najib Abdul Razak. In his desire to get rich beyond his wildest dreams, he was not just contented to be respected as an elder stateman leading the nation of Malaysia. He proceeded to get involved in the biggest scam in history and was tried in court for his crimes and he was found guilty. He lost his position as Prime Minister although he remains a member of Parliament. His reputation was also severely tarnished in the eyes of most people. But he is not alone. There are many others like him that would go to great lengths to become rich legally or illegally and having a good reputation is secondary.

 

So, is this verse out of step with the world we live in? Is it still true that a person’s reputation is more important than wealth? Since this verse is given by the Lord, it is true. It is true because once a person’s reputation is ruined, it can never be fully restored because the stain of the ruined reputation will remain. On the other hand, if someone were to lose his or her wealth, it is not the end because fortunes can recover. There are people who have lost everything they had in a financial disaster but later on in life, they managed to rebuild their lost fortunes.

 

Consider the case of the recent scandal surrounding the popular Chinese singer and actor, Kris Wu. He has a huge following in China and parts of Asia. But when news leaked that he was accused of multiple sexual misconduct with women below the age of consent, his reputation was badly affected. Kris Wu lost many lucrative endorsement contracts because he was a popular brand ambassador for many big luxury brands. Even though he denied wrong doing, in the mind of his fans, many think he is guilty and this will definitely affect his career in the future. He was later arrested and charged. What happened to Kris Wu revealed to us that a person’s reputation is more desirable than great riches and the truth that lies in God’s Word.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for the wisdom and truth in your Word. Please help us to guard our reputations and to submit to your Word and Will for us always. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. What are some things today that people value far more than their reputation?
  2. Why do people think that reputation is not as important today?
  3. What are some ways you can protect your own reputation in your dealings with others?
  4. How has this devotion changed your perception about the need to safeguard your reputation?