A Good Name Over Fine Perfume

“A good name is better than fine perfume.” — Ecclesiastes 7:1

The sage Solomon reminds us that a good name is life’s most precious fragrance. The Hebrew word for “name” is shem—not just a label you wear, but your reputation, identity, and the very essence of who you are. A shem is what lingers in the air after you’ve walked out of the room.

Think about it: perfume fades after a few hours, but a name—your character—endures. People may admire fine cologne, but they will trust and follow a life marked by integrity. A good name opens doors you didn’t even know existed, while a tarnished one can quietly close them.

Character is built, not bought. Like rebuilding a house brick by brick, a good shem grows over time—decision by decision, act by act. Honesty, fairness, love, dignity, and compassion become the mortar that strengthens your life. As Jesus said, “It is not what goes into someone’s mouth that defiles them, but what comes out of their mouth” (Matthew 15:11). Who you are—your inner life—shapes the fragrance that others remember.

Think about how you choose a doctor, an attorney, a mechanic, or even a restaurant. You don’t gamble blindly—you look for a name you can trust. Quality is stamped not only on products but also on people. As you pour quality into your life, your name—your shem—becomes a testimony of reliability and grace.

And if you ever wonder how valuable a name can be, remember this: the greatest name of all is Jesus. “For there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). His shem is salvation, and when we walk in Him, our names become reflections of His glory.

Reflection
    •    What fragrance does your shem leave behind in your family, workplace, and community?
    •    Where might God be calling you to rebuild, brick by brick, so that your name reflects His character?
    •    How can you rest today in the saving power of the name above all names—Jesus?

Grace to you,
Cedric
Traditionalwriter@yahoo.com