A GOOD NAME IS BETTER
“A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one’s birth” (Eccl 7:1 NKJV).
“A good reputation at the time of death is better than loving care at the time of birth”- CEV
“A good reputation is better than a fat bank account. Your death date tells more than your birth date”- MSG.
Sandwiched between the day of birth and the day of death is the days of living. Every man will always follow the order of birth-living-death. It is this period of living which precedes death that makes the day of death better than the day of one’s birth. There is a day of birth and there is a day of death. And the Scripture says the day of death is better than the day of birth. The former, though it comes with much excitement of a loving care, yet it is not to be compared with the latter because the day of death leaves with men the reputation gained from the days of living. “A good reputation at the time of death is better than loving care at the time of birth.”
The only thing that can make the day of one’s death better than the day of one’s birth is if the days of living which come in-between have produced good reputation. In other words, not having good reputation at the time of death is as good as not being born at all! While it is true that every man born into this world must necessarily die one day (except for the living saints in Christ at His Second Coming), yet, everyone must die the death of the life they live. A man can only die the death of the life he lives. A woman can only die the death of the life she lives. And YOU will definitely die the death of the life you are living. It is this living time in-between birth date and death date that puts definitions on the kinds of death that people die. Because people live differently, they must surely die differently. Those who live a life of hypocrisy and deceit must definitely die the death of the hypocrites. And those who live a sinful life must surely die the death of a sinner. If you live a victorious life, you will equally die a victorious death-a death that conquers death! There are no two ways to it, you will die the death of the life you live and I will die the death of the life I live. Living obviously precedes dying. It was from this understanding that a man prayed: “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.” But unfortunately, the man who prayed this prayer only died the death of a covetous, disobedient, rebellious sinner! That tells you that it is not just about wishing or praying it happens, it is about living the life of the righteous. Those who pray to die the death of the righteous must also take responsibility for it. A righteous life comes before the death of the righteous.
“A good reputation at the time of death is better than loving care at the time of birth.” Though as to others, there was joy when a child was born into the world, and where there is death there is lamentation, yet for us, if we have lived as to merit a good name, the day of our death, which will put a stop to our cares and toils, and sorrows, and remove us to rest, and joy, and eternal satisfaction, “is better” than the day of our birth, which ushered us into a world of so much sin, trouble, vanity and vexation. We were born to uncertainty, but a good and righteous man does not die at uncertainty. “Surely he shall not be moved forever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance” (Psalm 112:6). Those who die the death of the righteous shall be held in everlasting remembrance. And “The memory of the just is blessed” (Proverbs 10:27).
Both the just and the wicked, when their days are fulfilled, must die. Between their bodies in the grave there is no visible difference; but between the souls of the one and the other, in the world of the spirits, there is a vast difference. Therefore, there is, or ought to be, between their memories, which survive them. Good men are, and ought to be well spoken of when they are gone; it is one of the blessings that comes upon the head of the just, even when their head is laid in the grave. Blessed and loving men leave behind them blessed and loving memories. It is part of the dignity of the saints, especially those who excel in virtue and are eminently useful, that they are remembered with respect when they are dead. Their good name, their name with good men, for good things is then in a special manner as precious ointment. “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.” It is what we live for that we shall be remembered of.
Do you have a good name? What is the status of your name, good, bad, or ugly? Do you even care how people around you view your name? The good name here mentioned is not the name you bear on your academic and official documents. The good name here is the good reputation you have gained for yourself as a result of years of righteous, impactful living. The good name is the good things people remember when your official name is being mentioned. A good name really speaks to your integrity. It talks about your reputation and the character you have inside. It reveals who you are from a moral and ethical standpoint. Essentially it is what you are all about.
So I ask you, do you have a good name? Do you even care how the people around you view your name? As a father or mother in the house do you have a good name before your children? As husband or wife, what saith thou as touching this subject matter? As a staff in the place of employment, do you have a good name? As a Christian worker in the church, do you have a good name before all? And as a clergy man, do you have a good name? Do you have a name that people can trust? When your name is mentioned, does it project someone who is trust-worthy and reliable? Are you a man or woman of integrity? Can you be trusted with money and material resources? What do the ladies under your care have to say about your relationship with them? What is your attitude and disposition to position and authority? Are you a servant leader or a war lord over God’s heritage? What is your name? The Scripture says, a good name (good reputation) is to be preferred, pursued and valued far above fine ointment or a fat bank account.
Many people have sacrificed good name on the altar of pleasure, position and money. They preferred to have “the meat that perishes” at the expense of an enduring name of blessed memory! They chose to gain the perishables and have their name perished like the wicked than have a good name preserved for generations yet unborn. Do you value good name? Are you labouring and taking precautions at ensuring that your daily choices of action and inaction add up a Cumulative Gross Product of good name for you? Not to have a good reputation at the time of death is to render null and void the day of one’s birth and the priceless, precious gift of life!
It is therefore, in blessed and loving memory of Late Rev. Samuel Kayode Beckley that this short treatise is written as a means of preserving for this generation and the ones yet unborn the good name of a Saint and General in the Army of God, who has been called to lay his sword by, after he has lived the life of the righteous and victoriously fought the good fight of faith of Jesus Christ.
May the echoes of impacts coming from the life of this great and honourable servant of God impact your life with a strong determination and passion in pursuit of a good name that is better than a precious, costly ointment.
The tribute continues, watch out for the next episode…
