A GOOD NAME REFLECTS GOOD CHARACTER:
Ecclesiastes 7:1 says: “A good name is BETTER than precious ointment , and the day of death than the day of birth” (ESV).
WHAT IS KING SOLOMON SAYING IN THIS VERSE?
For starters, the two parts of the verse go together and Solomon is making the simple point that the day of death is better IF one has made a GOOD NAME for himself during life-so that his life has a continued or lasting REPUTATION and INFLUENCE. It's easy to do a singular good thing or have a good reputation for period of time, but difficult to carry that reputation over your entire lifetime into death. It's easy to finish the race, but difficult to finish the race strong. It's dififcult to achieve what Paul sayd to Timothy in 2 TImothy 4:7. "I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH" (2 Timothy 4:7). Anyone can finish the race without keeping the faith and/or with a terrible, tained reputation or name. But, it's worth keeping right with God as best we can to finish strong.
Solomon says that a good name is “BETTER THAN OINTMENT” which is PERFUME. Solomon is using “ointment” or “perfume”, which was very expensive and exclusive only to the very wealthy (in biblical times) as an illstration and a standard for comparing a good REPUTATION. OINTMENT or PERFUME was very desirable, expensive, and out of reach for most people in biblical times.
SO WHAT?
It’s the continued influence that our name carries long past our years of life on this earth and into eternity that I want to focus on today. Before we go there though, I want top point out that verse one is part of the bigger passage found in the verses one to fourteen whereby, Solomon, through a series of proverbial comparisons, offers counsel concerning wisdom and folly. Solomon shows the potency of one by pointing out and comparing their opposites i.e. folly vs. wisdom.
Back to our main point: Our name is really all we have, and a good name can be a special valued asset worth much more than all the riches of the world. If you have a good name, that name connects you with your past family ancestors and history, your present business, family and community dealings. On the contrary (opposite), bad living can derail and ultimately destroy your name/reputation and standing in your family and community. Again, righteous living will accomplish quite the opposite in that people will want to do business with you, marry into your family, and TRUST you and those with a good name. REMEMBER, birds of the same feather flock together-meaning that good people tend to affiliate with others who speak the truth, are trustworthy and who have a good name and reputation.
LASTLY, your actions, words, teachings, character, and service will bless others in this life. It is almost impossible to comprehend the number of people you will effect for the good in the name of Jesus Christ when we make a “good name” for ourselves during the few days we have on this earth.
When I look at most of today’s politicians and business leaders, I see that they have made a strong name for themselves, but not in the good. They have impacted many millions of lives-but not for the positive, right or good in most cases. And when they breathe their last, like you and I, they too will stand before God to give an account. Their “NAME” or reputation will also instruct those who come after them as to the what not to do. The pain, hurt and loss from politicians such as Nancy Pelosi and many others on both sides of the aisle will leave them with a horrible name, reputation and legacy.
In closing, please remember the words of God as spoken through Solomon in Ecclesiastes 7:1: “A good name is BETTER than precious ointment , and the day of death than the day of birth” (ESV).