What Is It?

When we come into this world, we are given a small portion

of it. However, that is just to give us a start. From then

on we spend the rest of our life building it. Everything we

do in life will affect it. By the time we have graduated

High School, we have laid the foundation of it. By the time

that we are married and have children it has been fully

established. By the time we have completed our course in

life or have retired, there is little if anything we can

do to change it. We get it for nothing, but it's value

is such that it can cost us everything.

Once it is built, it can only be changed by great events.

The little, everyday events, will do nothing to take it

away, and everything to continue to strengthen it.

Others will know us by it and depend upon it. It will

determine what others think about when they hear our name.

Every action we take and every word we utter will shape

and mold it until it is as solid as a rock!

It is our Reputation. When we are born we are known by

our parents, but soon we take on our own personality.

As we grow, our actions and words will determine how

people perceive us. By the time or our adult years we

have fully established that reputation and there is

little we can do to change it in the minds of others,

and much we do with every little action to add to it.

The Bible warns us about the cost of our reputation.

One that is built with God at it's center, is one

that will be remembered, but one that does not honor

God, is one that will soon be forgotten: "The memory

of the just is blessed, but the name of the wicked

shall rot." (Proverbs 10:7). With a good Reputation,

our name becomes more precious than silver and gold:

"A good name is rather to be chosen than riches, and

loving favor than silver and gold." (Proverbs 22:1)

Be careful: you are building something that will

be with you for the rest of your life. How do YOU

want others to think about you? Do you want your

name to be more precious than Gold? Or do you want

your name to be such that others are more than

willing to forget it? One thing is certain, for

good or bad, God will NOT forget! [JW]