23/08/2025
A GOOD NAME IS BETTER THAN PRECIOUS OINTMENT
The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 7:1: “A good name is better than precious ointment.” At first glance, this may seem like a simple comparison, but when we look deeper, we discover a profound truth about the value of character, integrity, and the legacy we leave behind.
In ancient times, precious ointments and perfumes were highly treasured. They were symbols of wealth, beauty, and honor. When someone entered a room anointed with fragrant oil, their presence was noticed immediately. Yet Solomon, the wisest king, reminds us that even the sweetest fragrance fades, but the aroma of a good name lasts forever.
A good name is not about popularity or worldly recognition. It is about the testimony of a life lived in righteousness, humility, and obedience to God. Your name represents your reputation, and your reputation reflects your heart. People may forget your possessions, your status, or your outward beauty, but they will remember how you treated them, how you lived, and what you stood for.
When we carry Christ in our hearts, we become living epistles read by all men (2 Corinthians 3:2). Our name becomes associated with kindness, faith, honesty, and love. That is why Proverbs 22:1 echoes the same truth: “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
Beloved, guard your name. Let it be a fragrance of Christ everywhere you go. Do not compromise your integrity for temporary gain. Choose daily to live in such a way that your name brings glory to God.
Precious ointment may cost much, but it can only perfume the body. A good name, rooted in Christ, perfumes the soul and leaves a legacy that outlives us.