Solomon, who wrote the book of Proverbs, says in chapter 22, verse 1,”A good name is more desirable than great riches”. He’s not talking about the name your parents gave you at birth but the reputation you earned by the life you lived. Whether we realize it or not, we all will leave a reputation when we leave this earth, whether good or bad.

A very sad event happened this week in our country. A young man motivated by racism killed several people in Buffalo, New York. These were people who were going through a normal routine shopping at a local store. I don’t know everything about each one of them but some of the stories that are being told shows that there are “good names” being left behind.

Listen to what some of the things said about a man named Heyward Patterson who was killed; one who left with a good name. He attended The State Tabernacle Church of God where he stood at the door welcoming people into the services. He was the pastor’s armor-bearer and volunteered to clean the church each week. He spent time working in the soup kitchen and helped residents with their groceries. His wife said that he would give he shirt off his back, “that’s who he is”.

The best thing that can be said about us is that we committed our life to following Jesus Christ and we let our light shine for Him.

When you leave this world what will people who knew you say about you; will you depart with a good name?