What’s In a Name?

“A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.” (Ecclesiastes 7:1)

We have several new babies in our church, and they are adorable. They smile; they coo; they lay there and just are too cute.

But…

They haven’t really accomplished anything yet. They look great, but they haven’t amounted to much yet.

Compare that with the person who has lived a full life and is memorialized after they die. Or think about the differences between a funeral of someone who died at 70 and an infant. Both services will include grief, but you don’t usually memorialize an infant, because there aren’t many memories to reflect on.

Solomon says names are precious when they have become something in life. This is not to belittle the death of young one, but when someone has lived a number of years, that person has more time to establish a reputation. And when that person has been living faithfully, they are worthy of being admired and memorialized.

I once attended and led a graveside service where the deceased was not loved or appreciated by those who gathered there. They didn’t want anyone to share a word of testimony, because they were afraid no one would say anything nice. What a sad state to be in – to not be worthy of memorializing.

Protect your name!