Proverbs 22:1. A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and LOVING favour rather than silver or gold.
And then it was Wednesday… and somebody said ‘Already!’ Yes sir, the week is moving along like nobody’s business, and if you don’t get in step with it, then it will simply leave you behind. (smile) Many of us believe that the days, and thus the weeks and months are moving faster than ever, as one person recently told me, before the weeks’ start they are finished, and that certainly seems true. However, the days and other elements of time are still moving ahead at the same pace the Lord assigned them many eons ago, what’s changing is our perception of them.
Our world is now so busy and technologically advanced, with almost everything readily at hand, that we get the impression that things are moving quicker than usual. And believe me, that attribute of perception, the ability to notice and understand things that are not obvious to other people, can and have led us down some wrong paths with dreadful consequences. That’s why we have to be very careful of what we think or believe we perceive. Like thinking that the things of the world, it’s wealth, power and fame and the flamboyant lifestyle that those who have them live are so great that we ought to kill ourselves trying to get them.
But unfortunately that is definitely not the reality of the situation. For those things in and of themselves don’t bring true happiness, which only come from matters like peace, LOVE, joy and rightness with God. Oftentimes, they bring the exact opposite and those who have them then regret they ever acquired them. One of the reasons for that is the greed and jealousy of man. We see what others have and don’t know how they acquired it, but we want it too, so we decide to do whatever it takes to get it.
But here’s the wisdom, obviously from the wisest man ever, Cousin Sol, that should be our guide on this the Lord’s great earth. ‘A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and LOVING favour rather than silver or gold.’ (Prov. 22:1) Oh my fellow believers, a good reputation is much more important than wealth.
And it’s rather interesting that William Shakespeare in his play Othello, puts these words of absolute truth into the mouth of his character Iago, a lying, immoral man. ‘Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, Is the immediate jewel of their souls: Who steals my purse steals trash; ’tis something, nothing; ‘Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to thousands: But he that filches from me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him And makes me poor indeed.’
It’s no joke friends, the loss of our good name, our reputation, the tarnishing of our character is ever much more important our material wealth and fame, for when you lose that, it’s almost impossible to regain it. As this commentary explains. ‘Iago compares a good reputation to a precious jewel that, unlike money, has true and lasting value for its owner, yet is worthless to anyone who would try to steal it.’ And sadly in this modern age of social media and all the other technological developments, it’s very easy to slander and destroy someone’s reputation by simply posting lies and untruths that are greedily picked up and spread like wildfire by those who read or see them.
And it’s oh so sad that even the big newscasters nowadays no longer seem to check the facts, as they use to, before rushing to publish stuff they see on the social media platforms because the big thing is to be the first to bring it to public attention. But in their haste to be the first they are ofttimes making themselves look real foolish by publishing incorrect news. But that’s our modern world; everything is about speed and immediate satisfaction, the real truth doesn’t matter half as much as it should. And where the killing of someone’s reputation and character is most prevalent is in the arena of politics.
Now, no one campaigns on the strength of their own personality or what they have to bring to the table, but the first thing is always to look for dirt on one’s opponents and base your campaign on those things. And politicians are not above lying and making up untrue situations which the naïve and unschooled sheep known as the voters quickly believe, because our society is now built on defamation of character. And nowhere is that more visible than in the current U.S. Presidential Election campaign.
However, getting back to our topic of putting material wealth and fame and power at the top of our list, before God, there is one scripture we ought to pay particular attention to, that’s this one which Moses speaks to the Israelites, reminding them of where all their prosperity comes from. ‘And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee the power to get wealth, that he may establish (confirm) his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.’ (Deut. 8:17-18)
Yes friends, it’s Almighty God who gives to each of us the power to gain wealth. For as Jesus says, without him we can do nothing. (John 15:5) Let’s remember that God is the Creator and Controller of this world and nothing happens in it unless He originates it or allows it to happen. And again we turn to not only the wisest but also the richest man ever, that’s Cousin Sol for this other gem of wisdom on the subject. ‘The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.’ (Prov. 10:22) And if anybody should know about wealth that’s Cousin Sol because the Lord made him the wealthiest man ever because instead of asking for long life and riches, he asked for wisdom to lead God’s people.
And although there’s no shame in being wealthy in worldly goods, we ought to note this scripture from Bruh Paul to Timothy very closely. ‘Charge (command) them that are rich in this world (present age), that they be not highminded (haughty), nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute (give), willing to communicate (share); Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.’ (1 Tim. 6:17-19)
Oh my fellow believers, when the Lord allows us to gain earthly wealth it’s not for us to hoard and admire, but to share with the less fortunate of our society. Please, let’s remember that and promise ourselves to improve our generosity, because I’m sure all of us can do a li’l better than we’re currently doing in a world that’s desperate for brotherly help and LOVE. Now, let’s go home declaring (chuh!!!) our Wednesday Wail.
As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And it’s been further promised that if we endure with Jesus right to the very end, then that future will be even more glorious then we can ask or imagine. So, hoping to see you there at the very end! Much LOVE!
…naked we came…and naked we will go…except for what’s inside us…our character and integrity…
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