We live in a celebrity obsessed culture. We often idolize our favorite sports star, actor, or actress. We measure success by accumulation – the accumulation of popularity, salary, property, or influence. But all of those things can be gained quickly and lost just as fast. An actor makes a few bad movies and no one wants to watch them anymore. An athlete has a couple bad years, gets cut from the team, and fades off into history.

Proverbs 22 redirects our attention to reputation rooted in integrity. A “good name” is not about popularity. It’s about credibility. It’s about being the kind of person whose word can be trusted, whose presence brings peace, and whose life reflects reverence for the Lord. In other words, a good reputation starts with a life transformed by Christ from the inside out to reflect his character. Riches may open doors, but character determines what happens once you walk through them.

1. Am I more interested in what I own or in how I live? What am I investing in – my net worth, or my name?

2. What is more important to me – my integrity or my popularity? My character or how much I can get?