What’s Your Rep?
Bible Reading: Proverbs 3:1-4
Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will gain a good reputation. Proverbs 3:3-4
IN THE LEFT column below are the names of fictional and factual people who have become identified with a certain reputation. See if you can match each name with the corresponding reputation:
| 1. | Benedict Arnold | A. | barbaric |
| 2. | Midas | B. | brave |
| 3. | Ebenezer Scrooge | C. | artistic |
| 4. | Michael Jordan | D. | miserly |
| 5. | Attila the Hun | E. | romantic |
| 6. | Pocahontas | F. | smart |
| 7. | Hercules | G. | traitorous |
| 8. | Albert Einstein | H. | rich |
| 9. | Michelangelo | I. | athletic |
| 10. | Romeo | J. | strong |
How’d you do? If you got less than half right, don’t sweat it; it’s only for fun. If you got all of them right, substitute your name for Albert Einstein’s!
More important than how many you got right is this question: If your name were on that list, what sort of reputation would your friends, family, and others identify with you? If the words kind and merciful were in the right-hand column, would anyone associate those words with you? If so, then you have already begun to establish a reputation for kindness and mercy. That should not only make you feel good, but it can also protect you and provide for you. A reputation for kindness and mercy will tend to make other people want to hang around you. It will often prompt people to be understanding toward you. It may open doors of opportunity for you to help others and, perhaps, be helped yourself.
If the words kind and merciful would not be associated with you, it’s not too late to begin cultivating kindness and loyalty. Then, as today’s Bible reading says, “you will find favor with both God and people, and you will gain a good reputation” as you begin to reap the rewards of showing mercy to others.
REFLECT: Proverbs 22:1 says: “Choose a good reputation over great riches, for being held in high esteem is better than having silver or gold.” Why do you think this is true?
PRAY: “God, I really want both you and people to think well of me. Today I’m going to be especially kind to_______________________ by doing this:__________________________________.”
(Answers: 1G; 2H; 3D; 4I; 5A; 6B; 7J; 8F; 9C; 10E.)