What's in a name?

Expecting parents will often spend hours, days, or even months trying to come up with just the right name for their child. They understandably want to give their offspring a gift with the name they select, though everyone has different objectives when choosing what to name their child.

But as this Proverb illustrates, what you do with your own name, in this sense meaning your reputation, is much more important. And it can be of great value not only to you but to your family as well. A good reputation can open doors for you and for those associated with you, like your children.

Even more importantly, your good name will directly impact your effectiveness as a witness for Christ. If you are seen as a trustworthy person, your words will carry weight.

Perhaps for this reason, Paul wrote to the Corinthians that he sought to do "what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man."

But building a good name takes much longer than a few hours, days, or even months. It's often developed over a lifetime of good decisions. On the flipside, it can be tarnished with one foolish or careless act.

It must be guarded as something of great value.