Daily Prayers for MenNäide

Character Matters

A good name is to be chosen over great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold. PROVERBS 22:1 CSB

How many times have you heard a kid say, “When I grow up, I want to have a reputation for integrity”? Our culture often celebrates wealth and power over good character (though wealth and power can be used to accomplish good things). Solomon, a wise king who wrote much of the book of Proverbs, suggests a different priority. It’s a suggestion worth considering, seeing as how Solomon enjoyed more power and wealth than perhaps anyone else in history. Solomon’s advice is to pursue integrity, to build a good name for yourself in everything you do. You do that by giving your all in your every endeavor. By striving for quality and being fair in your dealings. By giving others the benefit of the doubt and showing love to your enemies. By going the extra mile for people who insult you. You do it by noticing people who rarely get noticed. By demonstrating through your words and actions that they matter. You do it by following Jesus’s example.

God, thank You for the timeless advice in Your Word. Thank You for the example of Solomon, who spoke from experience. He had the power and wealth that most people dream of, but he learned what was truly important in life and chose to share what he learned with others. Thank You for working through him to teach us the importance of integrity. Guide me as I work to create a good name for myself, a name that reflects Your character and Your love. Show me the path of integrity in everything I do.

And I will give You all the glory. Amen.