 By James H. Cagle |
“A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth” (Ecclesiastes 7: 1 KJV).
There are two of my classmates from high school that I still remember to this day. They were Edward and Joey. Edward came from a poor family with a reputation for being honest, hardworking, and caring. Joey came from a rich family that owned a business in town, lived in luxury, and liked to flaunt their wealth. Joey was known mostly for wearing expensive cologne. Both Edward and Joey died recently within a year of each other. Edward was remembered for his character, and Joey was remembered for his cologne. Edward was a good friend you enjoyed having around. You could always smell when Joey came around.
Sometimes people get their priorities wrong and make the mistake of making a living their priority rather than making a life. They think building wealth is more important than building character.
Having a “good name” means first of all having good character, then behaving in such a way that you eventually have a good reputation for being honest, hardworking, and caring, regardless of your social status. “Precious ointment” was usually something only the rich could afford. Only those who were rich could buy and splash on this ancient aromatic cologne.
But the end comes to both the one with a good name and the one with the expensive cologne. The death of the one with the good name is better than his birth because he was born with nothing, but while he lived, he earned a reputation for his goodness and kindness to others. And, therefore, he touched the lives of others and made a difference. The one who lived in luxury, and for himself, is remembered only for his expensive and loud cologne.
Even today, people flaunt their vanity, wealth, and expensive cologne to get everyone’s attention. They want everyone to know they’re something, while others are quietly building good character and a reputation, a good name for themselves, as they impact lives for Christ, that will be remembered long after they’re gone.
Are you known for your character or your cologne?
