Read: Proverbs 22:1

It is difficult to make a good name but it is easy to ruin it. The Bible tells us that a good name is chosen rather than great riches (Prov. 22:1). A good name is considered to be better than fine perfume (Eccl. 7:1). There are people who compromise their morals to get wealthy. Greed has blinded their eyes. The King of Israel Ahab and his wife Jezebel had a reputation of plotting and killing Naboth to possess his vineyard (1 Kings 21). Judas Iscariot was the man who betrayed Jesus for 30 silver coins. Everyone will remember him for being a traitor and not a disciple who once accompanied Jesus.

Ruth, the Moabite woman chose to live with her mother-in-law Naomi, accept Jewish people as her own, and worship Yahweh God as her own God (Ruth 1:16).  In Bethlehem, she was known as a woman of good character (Ruth 3:11). Samuel, the prophet was known as an honourable man of God (1 Sam. 9:6, 9), but his sons turned aside after dishonest gains, took bribes and perverted justice (1 Sam. 8:3). The reputation of his sons being dishonest was known among all Israel, that they wanted a king to rule over Israel instead of allowing Samuel’s sons to rule (1 Sam. 8:4).

Christ did not have silver or gold, yet He grew in favour with God and men (Luke 2:52). Jesus committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth (1 Pet. 2:22). Jesus set an example for us to be blameless like Him. To possess a good conduct, meditate on whatever thing is true, noble, just, trustworthy, lovely, of good report, praiseworthy, or of any virtue (Phil. 4:8). Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).