Read
The Value
1A good reputation and respect
are worth much more
than silver and gold.
2The rich and the poor
are all created
by the Lord.
3When you see trouble coming,
don't be stupid
and walk right into it—
be smart and hide.
4Respect and serve the Lord!
Your reward will be wealth,
a long life, and honor.
5Crooks walk down a road
full of thorny traps.
Stay away from there!
Reflect
We in the West live in a world where freedom of choice for the individual has become the supreme good. As long as my choice doesn’t hurt anyone else, then I have the right to do as I please (or so the libertarian political doctrine seems to read). There are many things we choose in life; and there are many things that we do not choose – we have little control over them.
One thing that we do choose is what we will pursue. The Teacher in 22:1 reminds us that it is better to pursue a good reputation than riches. Of course one can pursue a certain reputation that is totally fake, that is totally inconsistent with the reality of our character. We live in a Facebook and Twitter world. Lord knows how easy it is for us to compose a Facebook profile that has little to do with our real character. That is not what the Teacher has in mind. He reminds us in verse 5 that the deceitful walk a treacherous road. Creating a false reputation is not the answer. Walking in humility before the Lord is; it actually leads to the riches that we are not to pursue!
So what kind of character do I want to lay as the foundation for the reputation I build? The Teacher reminds me that all of us are made by God. Rich or poor, we have one Father. So my choice is really how I will walk before my Creator. Will I walk in humility and awe of him? Will I seek to be like his Son Jesus, exhibiting the values that he talked about in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chs. 5-7)? Or will I chase the riches and construct a fake “Facebook profile” that this world seems to honour? In the end, when I chase after what the world offers, I end up grasping for a mirage, a chimera that slips through my fingers. Ironically, choosing to walk humbly with my God leads to real riches and a reputation of substance. May I make choices that are wise over the long term!
Respond
Oh Lord, help me choose wisely. May your Spirit show me the pitfalls of chasing riches or a reputation built on a carefully crafted public presentation of my character rather than striving for godly character of substance built by walking humbly and in fear of you. Empower me by your Spirit to choose well. Amen.
Bill Taylor
Bill Taylor has been the Executive Director of the Evangelical Free Church since 2008. He previously serviced as pastor of Saskatoon Evangelical Free Church followed by District Superintendent of the Alberta Parkland District. He is a member of the National Mission LeadershipTeam, the International Mission Leadership Team and the Ministerial Standing Committee. He represents the Free Church on various Boards and Committees in Canada, the USA and overseas. Bill and his wife, Deb, have two daughters and one son-in-law. Publications: “From Childhood to Adolescence” - the history of the Evangelical Free Church of Canada from 1984 to 2005.