Proverbs 22: 1 “A good name is to be more desired than great riches.” Your character and personal identity are often known to other people by your name.  When others hear your name mentioned, their impression, opinion and respect of you will come to mind.  A Christian man is to be known by his walk with Jesus and how he lives his life.  What comes to you mind, when the names of Billy Graham, Chuck Swindoll or Tony Evans are mentioned?  Contrast this to the names of Tiger Woods, Bill Clinton or O. J. Simpson.  While Tiger Woods has claimed great victories and huge riches from golf, his name is associated with his infidelities and sexual exploits.  Our character and our name are far more important and lasting than performance and great riches.  When life is over, we will take only our name and character to the grave, not our riches. 

My father was a leader in the community and in our home.  He told me when I began high school that he had done some harmless pranks while he was in high school and knew that I might do the same.  But, he then told me that he never wanted me to do anything that would harm our family name or discredit the name of Jesus.  He also told me that he would hold me accountable.  I never forgot that lesson in life and to this day still strive to protect my personal name and my witness for Christ.  People at work and church and my own family have always known that I lead in this manner and commitment.  Just as fathers should have the “birds and bees” discussion with their children, they should have the discussion about protecting the family name and name of Jesus in their lives.  A good name can be easily lost with bad behavior and character lapses.  Once lost, it is difficult to restore and it retains a stain that is not easily forgotten.  Your name is who you are and you are the only one, with God’s help, to keep it clean and respected.  The members of your family carry your name, so protect it and make it a priority as given our Scripture this week.