I would guess many of you have heard the name Charles Ponzi. His name will probably forever be associated with the financial fraud scheme he elevated to a way of life. Ponzi offered investors a 50 percent return on their money in 45 days and a 100 percent return in 90 days. Although it seemed too good to be true, the money poured in. Ponzi used money from new investors to pay prior investors and fund his lavish lifestyle. By the time his fraud was discovered, investors had lost 20 million dollars and five banks had failed. Ponzi spent 3 years in prison, was later deported to Italy, and died penniless in 1949 at the age of 66.
One of our Biblical Proverbs says, “a good name—a good reputation – is worth much more than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1). A good name is more valuable than riches, because it can’t be bought with money. It has to be earned moment by moment, day by day, decision by decision.
What’s in a name? In centuries past, a person’s name was very important indeed, and even today, a person’s name carries a lot of meaning. My late husband arrived to a convention social hour in St. Louis where a group of folks were discussing a person named ‘Thomas L. Smith’ (not their real name)—and not in a good way. He stood and listened for several minutes before someone asked who he was. And his reply: my name is Thomas L. Smith.
King Solomon said, “A good name is better than fine perfume” (Ecclesiastes 7:1). In the ancient world, they would often use very rare oils and sweet-smelling perfumes on special occasions – not every day, like we use cologne or after-shave today. Solomon wants us to understand that even as precious and expensive as those items were, their value didn’t compare to a good name. You can put on perfume or aftershave and you’ll smell good for a short time; a good name is lasting. It stays with you wherever you go, in every setting in life.
Have you ever googled your name? If you’re like most people, you may not have positive, relevant content on the first page of the search results. Even Google co-founder Pete Kistler used to be mistaken for a drug dealer. And google a common name like mine, and you’ll find another Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Thompson who is also a UMC Elder!
This week’s scripture speaks of Jesus’ name becoming known—even King Herod had heard. The 1st century disciples were proclaiming repentance, casting out demons, anointing with oil and curing the sick in Jesus’ name. Notice Scripture doesn’t say that Herod knew those disciples’ names; rather scripture says Herod heard what the disciples were doing and Jesus name became well known. Their ministry wasn’t about them; it was about Jesus. Their ministry was being done in Jesus’ name. Jesus’ mission was now their mission; the disciples were sharing the good news: the One who brings heaven to earth is as close as your hand.
For the faithful, living in a particular way may bless with us with a good name. More important, Friends, putting God first and following Jesus’ teaching will make Jesus’ good name known. For all we do, is to be done in Jesus’ name. We are blessed with our good name through adoption as God’s children through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5). And we live lives that honor and give glory to the One whose name is majestic, whose name is good, and whose name is known.
Just as King David blessed the people in the name of the Lord (2 Samuel 6:18), we have been blessed to bless others through our ministry offered in the name of the Lord and through the power of the Holy Spirit. We are the ones sent out in Jesus’ name with hands ready to make this world heaven on earth. Our call is to continue the mission begun in Jesus Christ to change a world of hurt and pain into a world of love, of justice, and of peace (paraphrase of anonymous words translated by Jorge Maldonado, The Faith We Sing #2184).
Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Thompson is an ordained Elder in the Iowa Conference and is pastor to Des Moines St. John’s UMC and Des Moines Burns UMC—the oldest historically black congregation (founded 1866) in Iowa.
