A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.
(Proverbs 22:1 NIV)
Someone has come up with some “Rules for Choosing a Superhero Name”. Here are a few:
- Don’t call yourself by your real name (e.g., The Amazing David Foster).
- Don’t be too modest (e.g., Mr. Pretty Good, Captain So-So).
- But don’t labor the point (e.g., Mr. So-Powerful-Don’t-Even-Think-About-It-Buddy).
- Don’t choose the name of an existing Superhero unless you have lots of money and enjoy fighting litigation instead of supervillains.
- Don’t call yourself the Invisible Boy if you’re not.
- Don’t call yourself The Green Avenger if you wear an orange costume. You’ll confuse people.
Choosing a name is an important responsibility. Most parents can remember the hours spent flipping through baby-name books, talking through possibilities, and imagining what each name would communicate as their child grew. Some of us even changed our child’s name after the birth because the original choice just didn’t feel right once we saw them.
The Bible places tremendous significance on names as well. Sometimes a name described the circumstances of a child’s birth — Isaac (“laughter”), Benjamin (“son of the right hand”), Esau (“hairy”). At other times, God changed a person’s name to mark a turning point in their calling or character — Abram became Abraham, Jacob became Israel, Saul became Paul.
A name is important because it’s not just a word — it’s who you are. Your name is your character, the essence of who you are and what you stand for.
You may not be able to change your given name (at least, not without a lot of expense and trouble), but you can change what people think about when they hear that name. Every day, through your choices, your words, your integrity, and your kindness, you are deciding what kind of “name” you will carry into the world.
That’s why Solomon wrote: “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.” (Proverbs 22:1 NIV). Wealth fades, possessions wear out, and achievements are forgotten — but a good name, built on faithfulness and Christlike character, is a lasting treasure.
We choose our name by how we live. Choose wisely!
Prayer: Father, help us live in a way that honors you and reflects your character. Shape our hearts so that our name may bring a blessing to others around us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Choosing a name is an important responsibility. Most parents can remember the hours spent flipping through baby-name books, talking through possibilities, and imagining what each name would communicate as their child grew. Some of us even changed our child’s name after the birth because the original choice just didn’t feel right once we saw them.
The Bible places tremendous significance on names as well. Sometimes a name described the circumstances of a child’s birth — Isaac (“laughter”), Benjamin (“son of the right hand”), Esau (“hairy”). At other times, God changed a person’s name to mark a turning point in their calling or character — Abram became Abraham, Jacob became Israel, Saul became Paul.
A name is important because it’s not just a word — it’s who you are. Your name is your character, the essence of who you are and what you stand for.
You may not be able to change your given name (at least, not without a lot of expense and trouble), but you can change what people think about when they hear that name. Every day, through your choices, your words, your integrity, and your kindness, you are deciding what kind of “name” you will carry into the world.
That’s why Solomon wrote: “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.” (Proverbs 22:1 NIV). Wealth fades, possessions wear out, and achievements are forgotten — but a good name, built on faithfulness and Christlike character, is a lasting treasure.
We choose our name by how we live. Choose wisely!
Prayer: Father, help us live in a way that honors you and reflects your character. Shape our hearts so that our name may bring a blessing to others around us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Choosing a name is an important responsibility. Most parents can remember the hours spent flipping through baby-name books, talking through possibilities, and imagining what each name would communicate as their child grew. Some of us even changed our child’s name after the birth because the original choice just didn’t feel right once we saw them.
The Bible places tremendous significance on names as well. Sometimes a name described the circumstances of a child’s birth — Isaac (“laughter”), Benjamin (“son of the right hand”), Esau (“hairy”). At other times, God changed a person’s name to mark a turning point in their calling or character — Abram became Abraham, Jacob became Israel, Saul became Paul.
A name is important because it’s not just a word — it’s who you are. Your name is your character, the essence of who you are and what you stand for.
You may not be able to change your given name (at least, not without a lot of expense and trouble), but you can change what people think about when they hear that name. Every day, through your choices, your words, your integrity, and your kindness, you are deciding what kind of “name” you will carry into the world.
That’s why Solomon wrote: “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.” (Proverbs 22:1 NIV). Wealth fades, possessions wear out, and achievements are forgotten — but a good name, built on faithfulness and Christlike character, is a lasting treasure.
We choose our name by how we live. Choose wisely!
Prayer: Father, help us live in a way that honors you and reflects your character. Shape our hearts so that our name may bring a blessing to others around us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith’s Thought For the Day