WHAT'S YOUR REPUTATION?
- Key Verse
- "Sir, listen to us. You are a mighty prince among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will refuse you his tomb for burying your dead." (Genesis 23:6)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
Preoccupation with what others think of you is sin. However, your reputation and others' perception of you has a direct connection to your life, success and ministry.
Reflections
In Genesis 23, we see Abraham's plight of being in a foreign land amidst strangers and needing a place to bury his dead wife. He asks the strangers if he can purchase a burial plot. The strangers tell him he can have his pick of anywhere he wants and he can have the land for free! At first reading, the passage doesn't make sense. Why do these people who don't even really know Abraham offer to give up their land to him so willingly? Abraham's reputation preceded him.What does it mean if our reputation precedes us? Imagine if you applied for a job and before even interviewing, the boss says, "I've heard all about you. You're hired." Abraham's reputation was so respectable, so honorable and so successful that people everywhere knew of him. They knew of his wealth, his character and his trustworthiness. They had heard so much about him that they were willing to give him whatever they had that he needed.
So what about us? What character traits come to mind when others think of us? We all hope for descriptions like wise, intelligent, hardworking, dedicated, loyal and trustworthy. Or do words like kind, compassionate, sympathetic, forgiving, or godly make the list? What about proud, selfish, obnoxious, demeaning, or self-centered? We would cringe at descriptions like annoying, immature, undependable, or lazy.
There is a definite balance between caring too much and caring too little about what others think of us. However, our reputation precedes us whether we like it or not. Like Abraham, we have the ability to live our lives in a way that creates a reputation of honor.
Discussion Questions
1. Evaluate your current reputation. What positive and negative descriptions would make the list if others were describing you?2. What sin am I involved in that contributes to my current reputation?
3. What steps do I need to take to avoid those sins?
4. How can I be proactive in creating a reputation of honor?
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Hill Country Bible Church NW.
John Weber
January 27, 2012 07:28 AM
Thank you Becki for this great insight. Your central truth is right on. Imagine the reputation not only we would have but more importantly that the Lord would have if His people live in such a way that demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit as we learned on Sunday? Thanks again for the reminder.
Val Dugone
January 27, 2012 09:39 AM
Great devotional, Becki! Isn't it amazing how God's Word can come to life even in passages that look a little obscure at the beginning? A reputation of honor, respect, trustworthiness is what God desires for each of us - and it will lead to blessings and favor in unexpected ways. I also love your two truths and a lie scenario - I believe I know which is the lie, and will confirm with you in person ;-)
Craig Smelser
January 27, 2012 12:53 PM
Great job Becki! I must admit you revealed a fear I have about an element of my reputation in your insight: I'm often impetuous when it comes to passages like this. I must have read this chapter 25 times in my life and have always counted it as one of those Old Testament "filler" stories. Thank you for revealing deep spiritual truth in your comments! i will never read it the same again!