Verse of the Day - Proverbs 22:1

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. ~ Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)

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I think most people would agree with this Proverb. I mean, no one really wants a bad reputation, do they? Or do they?

Some people thrive on being a bull-dog, knocking folks down in their pursuit for money or position or power. They don't care if "the little guy" gets kicked around or whether they're beloved by others. In essence, people and their opinions don't matter. What matters is me...my needs, my wants, my ego, my happiness.

How short-sighted that mindset is, though. If we trash other people on our way to whatever selfish pursuit we're on, we are burning bridges that will surely come back to haunt us. If we then need help somewhere along the way, who do you think will want to lift a finger for us? People can be very unwilling to even look at a person who's dogged them, let alone listen to them or help them.

And although some people say they don't care, how many of us would want to overhear negative eulogies at our own funeral, huh? Is that the kind of legacy that any of us wants to perpetuate...?

We're here to mourn the death of our co-worker, Ebeneezer, who scrimped and saved all his life...and treated us like dirt. He may not have had friends, but he made a fortune ...and now WE get to spend it! Woo-hoo....let's party!...um...I mean, uh, after we take a moment to mourn the departed.....Okay, done. Party's at Frank's house -- grab a map on your way out...!

Many a story line has latched onto this theme, where the protagonist is faced with the reality that his lack of attention to good character has come back to haunt him. They find out that no one loves them, no one cares about them, because they didn't love or care about anyone else. They find out that relationships are so much more important than riches and fame.

These stories usually grant the protagonist one last chance to make amends, to change their story, to rewrite their ending. Unfortunately, that's not how the clock works in real life -- we only have now to write our history, because time waits for no one, and no one really knows what tomorrow brings.

A good character is always "money in the bank" -- you'll never go wrong by doing right. Never. Even if you don't have two pennies to rub together, if your aim is to have a heart after God's own heart, you are rich indeed! Just ask your friends -- they'll tell you....you do have friends, right? :-)

Love,
Joelene