September 15 | The Power of a Name

Today’s reading from Proverbs 22–24 and 2 Corinthians 8 invites us to reflect on the kind of character that becomes attached to a person’s name over time. Both passages remind us that formation is rarely dramatic. It happens through ordinary patterns of wisdom, integrity, generosity, and faithfulness that slowly shape who we are and how others come to know us.In Proverbs, Solomon says that a good name is worth more than great riches. Coming from a king who knew extraordinary wealth, that statement carries real weight. He understood that possessions can be gained and lost, but a life marked by wisdom, honesty, and character develops a kind of value that money cannot produce. Over time, those repeated patterns become part of a person’s identity and reputation.In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul speaks about Titus and another brother whose faithfulness had become known among the churches. Their credibility had not appeared overnight. People had watched their lives, experienced their consistency, and learned that they could be trusted. Their names carried weight because their character had been formed through ongoing obedience and service.Together, these passages invite us to reflect on what is gradually becoming associated with our names. They ask us to notice the kind of people we are becoming beneath our accomplishments and responsibilities, and to consider how the ordinary rhythms of our lives are shaping what others come to know about the God we represent and about us.