1: A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.

Joe isn’t a better name than Pete; Anne isn’t a better name than Sue. This verse isn’t referring to a ‘name’ per se, but rather to what is attached to the name. A good name, or one that is well spoken of, is to be chosen more than great riches. We should want to do that which will positively reflect our character more than we want to gain wealth. Riches can only do so much, but a good name is associated with a good heart and can bring comfort and care and encouragement to another. We will always desire to go to the one we can trust and count on. No matter what else someone may or may not have, it’s who they are as a person that means the most.

2: The rich and poor have this in common: the LORD is the maker of them all.

This verse is packed full of meaning and depth; like everything in the word of God, if it is looked at only superficially, so much will be missed. Complete equality is stressed here. If you’re rich, the LORD is your Maker. If you’re poor, the LORD is your Maker. If you’re right in the middle, the LORD is your Maker. Since there is no respect of persons with God (Romans 2:11), it matters little to God what material possessions we had while we traveled this sod. (He gave everything to us anyway!) What has always mattered is the heart inside the one who had much or had little. All men and women, rich or poor, will stand before God at the Great White Throne judgment if they never knew Jesus, and the same hell will await each of them. All men and women, rich or poor, will meet at the throne of God’s grace if they knew Jesus Christ, and the same heaven will await each of them. The poor are as welcome as the rich.

4: By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life.

What do we get out of humbling ourselves before the LORD, and fearing Him? Does this submission mean that our Maker treats us as worthless beings undeserving of breath? No, He doesn’t treat us the way the world treats the poor. The lowly in poverty have nothing to offer or nothing of worth in the world’s eyes. The lowly in spirithowever, including the rich and the poor, are given riches, and honor, and life. Although these are bestowed upon us and are technically ours NOW, it is in eternity that the fullness of them will be realized.

For Today: No matter what the world says; no matter what your bank account reads (or doesn’t read), if YOU are in Christ, YOU are wealthy beyond measure. Make sure that YOU remember that; YOUR name is precious because it represents the Living God; YOU were made by Him and for Him, and He has given YOU an inheritance in Him that is pure and undefiled, and that…praise God, will never fade away.