Proverbs 22:1  ”A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.”

The world tell us to measure our value by our earthly possessions. It’s so easy to fall into that sort of thinking because it’s all around us. God tells us to measure our wealth by our reputation.

You’d think that would be easier than it actually is. The problem is that the world doesn’t hold the same evaluative criterion for a “good” reputation that God holds. So often when we are acting in light of His will, we are criticized by the people around us for being “odd” or having “awkward” social skills. In reality our personalities and interactions with others are fueled by a different source and need to be evaluated appropriately. Unfortunately, the world often values actions that are self-promoting over actions that are other-driven.

The blessed part is that God looks into each person’s heart to judge their motives and actions. He knows if things are done for His glory or to bring honor to the person doing the work. He knows if your reputation is about reflecting Him to the world or about earning a name for yourself. He knows if we are acting in true love and concern or out of selfish reasons.

Jeremiah 17:9-10

The heart is deceitful above all things,

And desperately wicked;

Who can know it?

I, the LORD, search the heart,

I test the mind,

Even to give every man according to his ways,

According to the fruit of his doings.

 The people around me may never understand, accept, or encourage me to be the person that I am, but I know that God does. I don’t need to worry about what they think, I just need to rest in the knowledge that I am first and foremost a child of God.