Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. Ruth 3:11

We live in a world of “self.” Where it’s all about you: you are the star. Selfies, Instagram, Snapchat, and the list goes on. Share you! It doesn’t matter how silly, dumb, or inappropriate it is anymore. Not in this world. A huge message that we hear often is, “Don’t worry about what others think of you. Just be yourself!” Even in Christian circles this message is proclaimed. “It doesn’t matter what others think of you. Jesus still loves you no matter what. Just be yourself!” While to some degree this message is true, there’s the other half of the equation I think we’re forgetting.

I love the story of Ruth. She was a Moabite woman who married Mahlon, Naomi’s son. After Naomi’s husband and sons died, she returns to Bethlehem. Ruth decided to go with her mother-in-law, leaving her family, culture, and false gods behind. Instead, she chose to follow the God of Israel.

As the story progresses, Boaz comes on the scene. This is usually the part of the story where we sigh and look dreamily out the window, declaring this story romantic. Yes, it is romantic, but I want to point out to you something Boaz said about Ruth. When Ruth came to Boaz asking him to redeem her family, he replies:

Then he said, “May you be blessed of the Lord, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.” Ruth 3:10-11

He then goes and redeems Naomi’s family and marries Ruth, and they live happily ever after. Sigh. What a nice story. But notice what he said about Ruth’s reputation. “All my people… know that you are a woman of excellence.” Ruth had a good reputation – she was known for being excellent! Can you imagine what an honor that would be? And she was from Moab, an enemy country of Israel. Ruth had completely given up her old way of life and was choosing to walk in the ways of the Lord.

But here’s what I want to point out: your reputation is important.

While it is true that we aren’t supposed to worry about what others think about us (but rather what God thinks of us), our reputation still matters. We are ambassadors for Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:20) – we represent Him. Our reputation really isn’t about us, but about our Lord.

Read Proverbs. Proverbs is full of examples about good reputation. Here’s a few examples:

A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1

My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:1-4

The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot. Proverbs 10:7

Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: “Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:28-31

Reputation is important. A good reputation brings honor to yourself and your family. But most importantly it brings glory to Jesus Christ.

Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. 1 Thessalonians 4:1

But before we finish this talk about reputation, I want to make something clear. Having a good reputation is not about bringing attention to yourself or gaining praise for yourself. We are to live for God and Him alone. His opinion is the only one that matters, and He will judge our motives.

Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:1-6

In the end, the way we live will be judged by our heavenly Father. We will not be perfect, because we are human. But praise the Lord that He is a gracious teacher! Jesus will lead you and teach you how to have a good reputation. Let us live for Him, day by day and moment by moment.

With love,

Kelsey