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To this day, I remember two of my high school classmates.

Edward came from a poor family but one that had a reputation for being honest, hardworking, and caring. Joey came from a rich family who owned a business in town, lived in luxury, and liked to flaunt their wealth. Joey was known mostly for wearing expensive cologne.

Both Edward and Joey died within a year of each other. People remembered Edward for his character but Joey for his cologne. Edward was a good friend. People enjoyed having him around. Joey, we always smelled.

Sometimes people get their priorities wrong and make making a living their priority rather than making a life. They think building wealth is more important than building character.

Having a good name means having good character and then behaving so that we have a reputation for being honest, hardworking, and caring—regardless of our social status. Precious ointment was usually something only the rich could afford.

The end comes to the one with a good name and the one with the expensive cologne. But the death of the one with the good name is better than his birth because he was born with nothing. While he lived, he earned a reputation for his goodness and kindness to others. He touched the lives of others and made a difference. The one who lived luxuriously and selfishly will be remembered only for his expensive and smelly cologne.

People today still find ways to flaunt their wealth to get everyone’s attention and let them know they’re something. Others quietly build good character and a reputation as they impact lives for Christ. Those people will be remembered long after they’re gone.

Are you known for your character or your cologne?

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com.)

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