Proverbs 22:1 - A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
In this proverb, we see a contrast between two things that we can possess. One is an abundance of money or wealth, and the other is being seen as a righteous person in the eyes of others. What do you find yourself desiring more? Perhaps you think it would be great if you could have both at the same time. In this case, the writer of this proverb sees one as better than the other. Why is that?
The allure of great riches is something that we all face from time to time. We may even have good motives for wanting a lot of money in our bank account. We might say, “If I had more money I would be able to give more to help others. I could support more missions work. I could be more hospitable” and so on. But it is not uncommon to have selfish desires mixed into our hopes for more wealth as well. Perhaps it’s better clothes, a better car, a more comfortable lifestyle or being able to eat out more often. None of these things are necessary, but it often happens that when we get a little more money, we tend to quickly think of how we can spend it. If you have any doubt of that, look at how people get excited for getting their taxes back every year!
Some people desire wealth with purely selfish motives in mind. They think that if they have money then they will gain respect and influence. They may even find their identity in their wealth, seeing themselves as valuable in this world because of the value of their stock portfolio or their home or their jewelry or their car. But what happens when that wealth is stripped away? Suddenly their whole life is in shambles, they don’t know who they are, and they find themselves alone and desperate.
A good name, or being known as a righteous person is the far better goal to strive for. This means that you desire first and foremost to do good in the world according to what God calls “good”. Some people do good things so that they will be noticed by others and have a great reputation. However, we shouldn’t live righteous lives to be noticed. We should choose righteousness because it is good. If a good reputation comes from that, then so be it, but that is not the reason for righteous living.
In both cases, whether that be riches or reputation, we can be tempted to desire how others see us more than simply living as God intends us to. Being known as a righteous, good, godly person far outweighs any wealth that you could possess in this life. Who you are matters much more than what you have. As you pursue the things of the day, money is certainly a necessity for being able to live, but think of concerning yourself more with a righteous life which will shine brightly to those around you. You may be seen as a good person and you may even receive favor from others as a result, but the far greater result is that by living a righteous life, others may see your good works and end up glorifying your Father in heaven because of them. Money comes and goes, but a righteous life is of eternal significance.
