PUT SOME GOOD REPUTE IN YOUR REPUTATION
Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. – Proverbs 22 vs 1
What is the point of making a quick buck by cheating, taking shortcuts, or cutting corners but in the process lose your reputation and credibility? How can anyone prefer money or wealth over a good reputation and sound credibility? Yet millions do! We basically have two accounts: Our bank account on earth and our heart’s account in heaven. We either choose God and a good reputation in our hearts or money/mammon and all the greed that comes with it in our hearts! No middle ground, no grey areas!
Jesus warned us about this: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord] – Matthew 6:24 AMP.
The opportunity to cheat is always there. A few years ago, at my place of work it happened to me. I sell plants that I grow in my greenhouse to one of my big clients for their gardens. They save money and it helps towards my income. So, I had sold them some plants, put the amount on my invoice and so received the money for the plants that way. Then a week or so later the manager came up to me and gave me the cash for the same plants thinking they still owed it to me. I reminded them that I already had the money through my invoice! It was only about £35 but I could have so easily taken it, after all it’s not much for such a wealthy place as where I work!
They have loads of money there! Nevertheless, God knew, and I was thanked for being honest and they know I’m a Christian, so it not only honoured God, but it stopped the devil getting a foothold over me. It is just not worth it.
Money rots and loses value and sullies our souls if we are slaves to it; and once you lose a good reputation that’s it, you can’t get it back. This choice is with us every day and we need – for our future’s sake – to choose wisely! Choose a good reputation over a quick buck.