A good name is more desirable than great riches
Proverbs 22:1 - Perhaps you’re not rich and never will be. That’s the sign to concentrate on making sure that your name and reputation are in good order; the true wealth for now and forever.
Image generated by ChatGPT (OpenAI) using the DALL·E model.
“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
Proverbs 22:1 NIV
There are many things that trouble me about humanity, but one of the biggest is the constant desire by many people to be rich. I am saddened how many times we see prayer requests that ask “Pray for me that I have more money”, “Pray that I get a good job that pays a lot”, and requests for material things from a nicer home or car to a puppy (I am not making this up…). I’ve said it again, and I’ll say it again; God is not a vending machine! He always answers prayer, but usually not in the ways that most people want Him to.
This proverb points out a truth that more people need to understand: It’s much more important to have a good name — that is, the respect of others and an excellence in personal character that others recognize — than it is to have material wealth. That’s why I had my friendly AI ChatGPT create today’s image, which shows a middle-aged couple of the time of King Solomon who don’t appear to be wealthy, but obviously have the love and respect of their community.
In biblical times, a person’s name represented both their character and reputation. That’s why the importance of a good name was emphasized throughout Scripture; it’s tied to personal integrity and moral standing in the community. In the Near East during these times, keeping a good reputation was important in both social and economic dealings.
Even today, it helps to have a good name. I’m sure that many of our readers have been asked at one point or another to provide a personal reference for someone. I have had situations where I could not give someone a good reference and keep my conscience clear, so I declined to write or verbally deliver a statement about that person’s character or abilities. On the other hand, if I know a person to be trustworthy, hard-working, honest, and personable, they’re going to get a glowing reference from me.
There’s only one negative that can come from having a good name — it might go to your head! I love this statement from 19th Century Bible commentator Charles Bridges, who said:
“While it is true that reputation and the affection of others are more desirable than great riches, we must not forget that they may be in themselves vanity and a snare…. The only honor that is safe is that which comes from God.”1
The second part of the proverb goes even further with this message — “to be esteemed is better than silver or gold”. A person who realizes that having favor with both God and man is valuable knows that it is worth more than material wealth. 17th Century Bible scholar John Trapp comments on this proverb:
“Riches are enjoyed but till death at utmost; but a good name outlives the man, and is left behind him for a blessing.”2
How true! It’s not very often that you hear about someone who was very wealthy being lauded publicly after death for having all of that money and property, yet we often hear about a person who was a joy to be around, a loving person, and an all-around good example of a human being! British Old Testament scholar Derek Kidner said this:
“Our Lord carries this teaching a step further in Luke 10:20, to show that at a still higher level, not the power we wield, but the love in which we are held, is our proper joy.”3
Perhaps you’re not rich and never will be. That’s the sign to concentrate on making sure that your name and reputation are in good order; the true wealth for now and forever.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Lord, I thank You for the promise that a good name and reputation is to be desired more than great wealth, and that loving favor is better than coveting riches. Help me to realize this promise in my life by giving me the ability to always prioritize my reputation and character above material wealth. May my actions and words constantly reflect Your love and grace, and may I always seek to do all that is right and honorable in your sight. Thank You for the abundant blessings You’ve showered on me, especially the gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Scripture quotations taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica US, Inc.®. Used by permission.
Commentary quotations from Enduring Word are used with the written permission of the author
BibleHub was accessed on August 28, 2025 for commentary on Proverbs 22:1
Bridges, Charles "Proverbs" (The Crossway Classic Commentaries) (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 2001 edition of 1846 original)
Trapp, John "A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments" Volume 3 (Proverbs to Daniel) (Eureka, California: Tanski Publications, 1997)
Kidner, Derek "Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary" (Kidner Classic Commentaries) (Nottingham, England: InterVarsity Press, 1964)