Proverbs 22:1 begins with a verse that we have heard numerous times: A good name is to be chosen rather than riches. What's in a name? We all start off with a "good name" but can we keep it? In your mind what constitutes a "good name" anyway? Honesty, integrity, good character, high standards, a good reputation? Surely these are to chosen. Can you "clear" your name if you fall into a trap of dishonesty, bad character, loose morals? I would dare say it is much harder to clean a slate that has been stained than to protect and guard your name to begin with. It only takes a moment or a wrong decision to ruin a good reputation. Decide to make your name one that is synonymous with integrity and honor. Leave behind a legacy of which your children and grandchildren will be proud.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way that he should go . . . Oh how we mothers and fathers cling to that verse! Training up our children - a blessing and a full time job. Yes, it means to "train them up" to accept, love, and honor Christ. To be wise and make good decisions. Deut. 6:6 says, Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
I also believe it means that we should search, watch and observe the special strengths and talents that our children are born with and the individual abilities they possess and try to encourage and guide them toward those things. It could be music, art, leadership, writing, sports, whatever. We have all seen parents who "live" through their children's sports or other activities - and it's not a pretty picture for those on the outside looking in and certainly not for those children living with it.
When I think of Proverbs, I automatically think of good advice, wise instruction, training and warnings. Here in Proverbs 22-23 we have the first nineteen of "Thirty Sayings of the Wise." Some of these "Sayings" or "do nots" remind us not to rob the poor; make friendships with angry men; sign for others' debts; toil to become rich; change or move boundaries; waste words on the foolish. They instruct us to not let "rich and powerful" people influence us or intimidate us. If you were to eat at the table with a "regular Joe" would you behave differently than if you were at the White House with the President? Do we sometimes try and impress those around us who we believe are more powerful than we are? Or those we know that can "do something" for us? Remember to "do unto others" no matter what their status in life.
And one of the last pieces of advice - listen to your father who gave you life. How precious are the words of our fathers. If when we are young, we would only listen to their sage advice and heed their instructions! How much easier life would be! But sometimes the young do not listen, and ultimately they pay the price. Let's keep "reminding" them what is important while we have a chance. That's why Solomon keeps using the phrase "my son" - urging his son, and ours, to listen to their father. Not only our earthly father, but our Heavenly Father as well.
