Christian Bible Lesson 125: A Good Honest Reputation

Bible Verses

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” – Proverbs 22:1

“Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.” – 1 Timothy 3:2

“A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.” – Ecclesiastes 7:1

“To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.” – Titus 1:15

Christian Bible Lesson Overview

Focus your energy on Christian Values and do not worry about special attention or receiving credit for your good ways.  Your behavior will impact other people, even those you do not know.  Regardless of whether you receive an acknowledgment for your good behavior, you will have a good impact on those people touched by you directly or indirectly.

Apply your energy to satisfying Christian Values and do not be concerned with receiving credit for good deeds.  You will receive plenty of credit without pursuing it.  Work hard to be a positive influence on other people and you will receive unexpected blessings.

Christian Bible Lesson for Today

Jack worked for a large government agency that regulated food products. Jack was part of a group that reviewed the dairy industry.  He was part of an analysis team that provided summaries of specific products’ impact on the public.   Jack has been in this position for six years.  He consistently worked hard to find the potential risks for each of the products his group analyzed.  His findings were almost always rewritten so as not to have negative impacts on specific manufacturers.

Jack knew the manufacturers donated money to the campaigns of the elected officials that oversaw his department.  He always made his position clear, but he had no real authority over the final recommendations.

Jack had a very rough time working so hard to examine all the factors of a product when his findings seemed to have no meaning.  Jack was a strong Christian and everyone knew that.  He would not compromise his findings even if it meant his job.  He continued to work hard but he was feeling depressed because he thought no one cared about his work.

Then there was a big scandal in the dairy industry.  One of the major newspapers published an article regarding the money donated to political campaigns by major dairy companies.   Jack’s department was under a lot of pressure to release a response. 

The director of the department was preparing for a major nationwide response to the news reports.  It was critical that the department review all its processes, make necessary changes, and present a solid response to the scandal.

The director met with his direct reports to prepare a presentation of the changes they plan to make and how those changes would improve the dairy industry.   The group met and decided they needed a special person to make the presentation.  They needed a person who was honest and had integrity.  Everyone in the group said Jack was that person.  They said he was the most honest person in the company. 

When Jack was asked to be the nationwide speaker because of his honesty, he was shocked.  He thought no one knew how hard he worked to be truthful and fair.  He felt so good.  He worked hard on the presentation and it went very well.  Most of the changes Jack presented were implemented. 

Jack thought about his situation.  He realized that he did not need credit for being honest.  He saw that other people were affected by his behavior even if he was not aware.  Jack was committed to continuing to work hard, to be honest regardless of the difficulty.

Christian Bible Lesson Summary

It is very important to live by Christian Values.  It is not important to receive credit for the way you live.  Helping other people should be enough reward.  Remember that more people than you know are aware when you are truly honest and work for the benefit of other people.