Two Treasures Lost

A Short Essay

Pr 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving
favor rather than silver and gold.

Sheila1 lost a treasure this week. I fear she lost two.

The first, a reputation for honesty, is worth more than "great riches." To be viewed
lovingly as a man of integrity is "rather to be chosen" than silver. This is the treasure that
Sheila has certainly lost.

Good men, through misrepresentation and false accusation, may also lose this treasure.

The second treasure is a good conscience. If men lose this, they are good men no longer.

The two treasures are of the same nature. One is a good name in the sight of men, the
other in the sight of God. The latter is integrity, the former the appearance of it.

Let not mercy and good faith go from you . . . So you will have grace and a good
name in the eyes of God and men. Pr 3:3-4 BBE.

Paul was wrongly robbed of his good name while keeping the good conscience "before
God." Acts 23:1. The good conscience involved his salvation. 1 Pe 3:21. He was of that
class whose faith is "unfeigned" and who are willing "in all things to live honestly." 1Ti
1:5; Heb 13:18.

If men take from you the first treasure while you hold to the second, you need be little
troubled. But to say that a man has lost the second treasure of an honest and clean
conscience is to say that his faith has been wrecked on life's seas.

Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning
faith have made shipwreck: 1Ti 1:19

When men speak evil of us, when our "good name" is impugned by their
misrepresentations, those that keep "good conscience" shame the accusers by living a
holy life. The better treasure guards the lesser.

Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers,
they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 1Pe
3:16

How did Sheila lose her good name—the appearance of integrity? She made an
apparently heartfelt confession.

1
Not her real name
 Like a prodigal son. I have sinned against you . . . and against
God. I am asking for forgiveness from everybody.

And then her actions made the confession look like a piece of craft.

Maybe all the appearances of deception are the result of inexplicable misunderstandings.
We can not well say, this side of the judgment, when a confession is a falsehood. But if
misunderstandings underlie the appearance of deceit, Sheila has done little to remove the
causes of misapprehension.

And so she has lost the first treasure. And for all the fact that the better treasure is more to
be desired, the lesser treasure is no meager sum of wealth.

What does a man lose with the first treasure? Oh, it is terrible. His words cease to have
value. His tears strike less sympathy. His confessions are suspect. His claims of
innocence echo with a hollow quality. They seem to be a begging of the question. His
sincerest statements are classed with all the rest. He is not taken seriously.

His gift of speech depreciates.

Earth offers nothing of comparative value that might be wisely traded for a good
reputation. And if integrity is forfeited through deception, it is at the expense of eternity.

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever
worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s
book of life. Re 21:27
For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and
idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Re 22:15
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own
soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mt 16:26

Reader, if you have a difficulty with telling falsehoods, acting shams, or misrepresenting
reality, your hold on the first treasure is shaky. And worse yet, your destiny is in doubt.
Make thorough work of repentance. Buy back that perfume that sweetens your social
discourse. It is treasure indeed.

A good name is better than precious ointment. Ec 7:1