A Good Name? - Ecclesiastes #28

 

Ecclesiastes 7:1-2

A good name is better than precious ointment,
And the day of death than the day of one’s birth;
² Better to go to the house of mourning
Than to go to the house of feasting,
For that is the end of all men;
And the living will take it to heart.

Another way to verbalize verse 1: A good name is better than fine wine, or the fanciest of mink coats, or a grade-A, 20-ounce porterhouse steak! As true as this may be, how does one receive that good name? For if this good person observes the day of his funeral better than the day of his birth, he doesn’t necessarily need to be all that good. A bunch of people are called good people at their funeral; even complete scoundrels are often called good after they’re dead!

Have you ever been to a funeral where the dead guy is “preached into Heaven?” It’s incredibly easy to do for someone who was considered an upstanding business leader, acquainted with high society, a member of the popular civic clubs and charities, and knew how to keep a positive disposition. Probably also a member of the wealthy church in town, so no doubt the pastor would do his part to honor this fellow, even if the deceased never bore “fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8).

The world’s version of a good life will normally keep people from understanding what it means to attain eternal life in Heaven. Being a good person by paying taxes without much complaint, being charitable (and not just for tax write offs!), and taking advice from people like the fictional Stuart Smalley (look him up if you don’t know) will never be enough. Don’t rely on the power of positive thinking and being a do-gooder, but be made “good” by the saving work of Jesus Christ!

In Christ,

Dan