A Good Name (or Apple Picking in NYC!)
A
couple of weeks ago I heard on the radio that there continues to be a rash of
robberies taking place in New York City, all targeted at Apple products (e.g.
iphones, ipads, ipods). In fact, it has
gotten so bad that the NYC police department supposedly has a special task
force set up to take care of the problem, complete with a special
communications line to Apple. And,
they’ve come up with a special term for this kind of thievery. They call it, “Apple Picking!” So, now people are apple picking right in the heart of NYC!
What
amazes me is how a particular product can become so popular that it actually becomes
a target for thieves. This has happened not
only with Apple products, but it is said that there are particular brands and
types of cars, headphones, and jackets and other articles of clothing that have
a higher rate of being stolen than other similar items. These products become valuable
not only because of their function, but because of the name that they
carry. Somehow the name brand printed on
the product speaks of value, worth, and even status.
The
Bible says, “A
good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than
silver or gold.” (Proverbs 22:1 –
NIV) We are reminded that, the name we
carry either adds or detracts value to who we are. When we live in such as way that we bring
blessing into the lives of the people around us, we create a reputation that
goes before us, a reputation that adds value to our name. When we live in such
a way so as to hurt and deceive others, we diminish the value of our name. People
are either attracted to us or not, often based on the reputation that goes
along with our name.
That’s why the book of Proverbs gives this instruction to
those who want to have a good name: “Let
love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them
on the tablet of your heart. Then you
will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs
3:3-4 – NIV)
Let’s live our lives in such a way that our names are more
valuable than any product on the market. May your life and mine be examples of
what it means to live with a good name. (And
hold onto that iphone!)
Have a great day!
Pastor Tim Harris
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