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

I want to focus on the word "name" in the text today.

A name is something that indentifies a person. These names are given to us at birth. We don't get a choice in the name we are given because it is given to us before we know who we are. Yet as we get older, we start giving shape to our name based on our actions. Thus over time, other titles or labels attach themselves to our name. We may act smart and thus become known as intelligent. We may act jovial and thus become known as funny. And as we continue to grow, our decisions and actions will shape us even more. They will chisel out what we call our character.

Thus when we call a person by name, we instantly make a character connection. For example, think about what image comes to mind when I say a well-known name like Winston Churchill? Or what comes to mind when you hear the name, Elvis Presley? Or how about Jeffrey Epstein? You instantly associate certain events and character attributes with that person. And it defines them in your mind. They could be positive attributes, or they could be negative.

And the same is true of us. When someone says my name, specific images come to mind. Thus our name identifies us with character attributes derived from our actions. I always think of character as the sum total of all the decisions we make in this life. And this text accentuates this truth. But it also teaches us is that our name and its character have potential value. In fact, it suggests our name and its character holds extreme potential value.

Gentlemen, we get to make choices in this life. We can make choices that positively or negatively affect our character. And this character will be associated with our name. We learn from this proverb that our name and its character have the potential to hold a higher value than some of the most valuable commodities in this life — things like silver or gold. So today, don't sell your value short. Don't sell yourself short. Make great choices. And better decisions. Build character. Build extreme value. Pursue actions that are becoming of a godly man and worry less about the world's riches. Riches of this life are temporary. They come and go, and so do their value. Invest in an appreciating asset — character. It's the best investment.

And for those men out there who have made some poor choices that have impacted your character and name, you might need to hear this. In Christ, and only in him, can we cancel an old identity and discover a new one. Only Jesus can address a life of bad choices and decisions. And only in him will you find a new identity. Seek him. His name is one of extreme character and value, and he wants to give you a new name!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. — 2 Corinthians 5:17

ASK THIS: What bad decision has been affecting your character?

DO THIS: Bring this to God by sharing it below and let us pray for you.

PRAY THIS: Father, forgive me for I have sinned. I bring my life of bad decisions to you. Give me a new identity and life in Christ. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Kutless — Identity.

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