A Good Name?
“A good name is better than precious ointment…”
Ecclesiastes 7:1 (ESV)
Mention Hawaii, and you probably think of golden beaches and palm trees. Talk about Belsen, and the horrors of a concentration camp come to mind. Think of Rolls Royce and an image of a reliable luxury car is conjured up. When something, or someone, is mentioned we immediately have a picture associated with that name.
So, what do people think when our name is mentioned? Is there a good or bad reaction? In Ecclesiastes 7:1 we read that “A good name is better than precious ointment.” Normally, we associate ointment with a medication we might put on an insect bite, a burn or a wound. In other words, ointment helps to heal, to soothe, to make better. In Old Testament times ointment could mean more than that. Alongside healing properties, ointments were used as perfumes. Often a cone of ointment was placed on the forehead of meal guests. As people became hotter, the ointment melted and would trickle on to clothing producing a pleasant and relaxing odour. Often the ointment was very expensive and yet, we just read that a good name is to be rated as being even more precious.
What does it mean to have a good name? In Acts 4, early church leaders were in prison. Clearly that could be discouraging to members. But in verse 36 we read about “Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement)…” Here was an individual who was so encouraging that he was given a new name—the son of encouragement. So when Joseph’s name was mentioned, people thought of him as Mr. Encouragement.
We receive a good name in the same way. It’s our reputation—the way we act, speak and generally conduct our lives—that determines whether we have a good or bad name. For example, a good name comes by being reliable, turning up for appointments on time or fulfilling commitments. Maybe we gain a good name by being generous, either with praise or physical blessings.
On the other hand, our name may not be good if it has become associated with sarcasm or negativism. So, are we positive like the healing properties of ointment, or negative causing pain and discomfort? Just what do people think when they hear our name?
Prayer
Dear Father, we recognise the need of a good name in our dealings with others. Daily we need the empowerment of Your Spirit in that cause, and to bring no shame on the name of our Saviour. In His great name we ask.
Amen
Study by Philip Stevens
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About the Author:
Philip Stevens attends the Great Baddow Congregation of the Worldwide Church of God UK (near Chelmsford).
Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Great Baddow
United Reformed Church
High Street
Great Baddow
CHELMSFORD CM2 7HH
Meeting Time:
Saturday 1pm
Local Congregational Contact:
Tony Goudie
Phone: 01508-498165
Email: tony_goudie@wcg.org.uk