Morning Devotion - Prov. 22

Read Proverbs 22

The desirability of a good name
1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.

How does one get a bad name? How can we have a good name?
Excellence in Training - The Means or Process
good instruction (6), companions with upright and true speech (10), chaste companions (14), parental discipline (15), attention to the words of the wise (17-21), peaceful companions (24-25), respect for one's good heritage (28)

Perfection in Character - The End or Result
Prudence (3), humility and the fear of the Lord (4), soul caution in a world full of soul dangers (5), financial self-discipline (7), justice (8), generosity (9), pure affections and gracious speech (11), knowledge and appropriate loyalty (12), hard work (13), a heart for the oppressed (16), sympathy and mercy (22-23), personal financial caution (26-27), excellence in all things (29)

Consider the excellence of Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of the Father.

How can we have the best name?
2 The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the maker of them all.
God is our maker and the source of every good gift. Our failure in both means and ends is evident, particularly when we consider that we must one day answer to our perfect maker, who demands that we be perfect as He is perfect. The way to have a perfect name, must come through His Son. Our hope is that we have been given His name, and that through His great love the unsearchable riches of Christ have been credited to us.

1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.