Passage Read: Proverbs 22-25
Meditation Verse: 22:1
Thought
It is better to have a good reputation than to be rich. It is better to be held in high regard than to have much silver and gold. This is a good word, but also one that can easily lead someone astray. It has to be asked: A good name among what people? Esteemed by whom? The righteous man is not loved by those who delight in evil. Maybe a good man might be, but one who speaks up for God's standards will be hated by most men! Men love darkness because their deeds are evil, so if a righteous man comes along and points out the evil of their ways, he will be rejected. He will not be highly esteemed! Except by the few who do care what God thinks. Jesus was perfect, but He could only teach for three and a half years before He was killed! Who do we want to be esteemed by? There is no one more important than God and His opinion of us. Jesus pleased His Father and was exalted to the highest place, so it is best to be esteemed by Him who holds all power.
Application
It should be far more important to me to be highly esteemed by God, not men. Seeking the praise of men will force me to compromise and turn away from God's Truth. Seeking the favor and praise of God will force me to make enemies of fleshly men, who sadly far outnumber spiritual men. That's the test behind this proverb: Who's esteem do I want? God's or man's? I must want God's esteem, for the esteem to really mean anything. That means, I need to be diligent to do all God desires, all He praises, even if it brings the wrath of men upon me. I must not give way to the fear of man.