Better than Pounds Sterling

...and also more expensive too.

When you look at the different currencies in the world the Great Britain Pound Sterling is one that has held it's ground per it's value relative to others. Proverbs 22:1 tells us that:

"A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank." (MSG) http://bible.com/97/pro.22.1.MSG 

This topic popped up during a service where it was the Congregational Memory Verse for the new week. It was impressive to hear them recite last week's verse which was Philippians 4:19. When they announced the new week's verse, I opened my Bible and found this rendition - which I really like because it uses the word "Reputation" that we'll delve into briefly. The first thing to note is that not only is a good reputation better than Pounds Sterling, no amount of money, Pounds Sterling included,  can buy you a good reputation. So what is a (good) reputation? A reputation is essentially what (you want) people (to) think about you. Benjamin Franklin said:

"It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it."

Warren Buffet took that further and warningly said:

It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.

If you think about that, you'll do things differently.



As important as a reputation is, it's more important that your character is solid & strong enough to uphold your reputation. Another translation of Proverbs 22:1 expatiates on the link between both -

A good name [earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity] is more desirable than great riches; And favor is better than silver and gold. (AMP, emphasis mine)

Proverbs 3:3-4 Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.

(MSG - http://bible.com/97/pro.3.3-4.MSG, emphasis mine )

William Hershey Davis said 
"Your character is what God knows you to be. Your reputation is what men think you are" 

- we should do our part to make both the same.