How does this verse challenge your perspective on life and legacy? A Name That Outlasts Riches Ecclesiastes 7:1: “A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.” • Scripture draws a hard line between what is merely attractive (fine perfume) and what truly endures (a good name). • Proverbs 22:1 echoes the thought: “A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.” • In God’s ledger, character weighs more than cash, assets, or popularity. This verse calls us to weigh every life choice by how it will shape our reputation for righteousness before God and people. The Fragrance of Character • Perfume smells sweet but fades fast; a godly reputation keeps on influencing long after we have left the room. • 2 Corinthians 2:15: “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” • A life that radiates Christlikeness becomes an unending fragrance, guiding others toward the Savior. Death: A Graduation, Not a Goodbye • “The day of death [is] better than the day of birth.” At birth, nothing is proven; at death, faith has been tested and, by grace, refined. • Psalm 116:15: “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” • Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” • Far from a morbid outlook, Scripture views death as the completion of our earthly witness and the doorway to eternal reward. Measuring Legacy by Eternal Standards • Hebrews 11:4 notes that “through his faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.” True legacy is measured in faithfulness, not in earthly accolades. • 1 Corinthians 3:13–14 reminds us that every work will be tested by fire; only what is built on Christ survives. • This challenges us to invest time, resources, and relationships in ways that will echo in eternity. Walking It Out Today • Prioritize integrity over immediate success. Shortcuts now can stain a name for decades. • Speak and act so that Christ’s aroma surrounds every interaction—family, workplace, church, community. • View earthly milestones (promotions, anniversaries, retirements) through the lens of final accountability before the Lord. • Encourage those nearing life’s finish line; reassure them that their faithful testimony is “better than fine perfume.” The verse presses us to live each day with eternity in view, cultivating a name that God Himself calls “good” and preparing for a death that crowns a life of faithful witness. |
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