Making a Name for Yourself

As we come to chapter 10 the book of proverbs becomes what most people think of Proverbs, a collection of short, targeted sayings, usually about a specific topic or area of interest/concern.  What I think I will do is copy in four or five of these and comment on one, or at the most two.  If you have any questions on the ones I don’t comment on, let me know and I’ll do my best to answer.  Here is Proverbs 10:1-7

A wise son makes a glad father,
But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.  Treasures of wickedness profit nothing,
But righteousness delivers from death.

The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish,
But He casts away the desire of the wicked.   

He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

He who gathers in summer is a wise son;
He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.  The memory of the righteous is blessed,
But the name of the wicked will rot.

I’ll comment this morning on verses 6-7; though this entire collection of proverbs seems to contrast righteousness and wickedness.  We are told in verse 6 that blessings are on the head of the righteous and violence covers the mouth of the wicked.  God does bless the righteous, those who have Christ’s righteousness through faith.  Yet the wicked are covered with violence.  But it is verse 7 that sticks out to me.

So many people seem intent on “making a name” for themselves in today’s world; whether it be through sports, business or entertainment.  In verse 7 we are told how to “make a name” for ourselves.  We do that through God’s righteousness.  When you attend the funeral of a righteous man or woman, there is much rejoicing over the memory of that individual, yet at the funeral of someone who lived a rather “sordid” life, the tone and mood of the funeral is totally different.   The memory is not the same.  The name of the wicked does not carry on in a way that inspires anyone to live for God or even to follow in one’s footsteps.  Also, there is an eternal application here.  The righteous will experience reward for their life in heaven forever and ever yet the wicked will suffer in hell.

If you are thinking about making a name for yourself, I would beg you to look to Jesus Christ instead of this world.

In wisdom,
Eric

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