Reputation and honour and are vital matters which should concern us all, and especially when we are thinking of others.
One of my heroes, Saul of Tarsus, who was later to be widely know as Paul was so deeply concerned about the reputation and honour of Jesus Christ that he was careful regarding what he did and what he said.
As a leader, his good example to all around him would be significant.
It is not just what others may think of us.
That is not all that important.
But, if we are representing Jesus Christ and ambassadors for God how we live and speak must influence every area of our lives.
Such powerful moral and spiritual leadership is so needed in these days, when leaders in business and economics and banking and government have brought down corporations and financial systems, causing even sound solid banks to collapse.
Greed and corruption and selfishness and reckless ambition cause havoc and chaos.
Leadership is more vital than many in positions of leadership realise.
Bad leadership results in disasters of different types.
Paul was concerned that what he did was right in the eyes of God, and he was equally concerned that what he did was right in the eyes of men.
Although being on trial for his faith and frequently thrown into prison, what he did was right and proper.
It is always better to be correct than merely politically correct.
He considered others and he considered what the outcome might be for others by what he preached and taught and wrote.
If our business leaders had considered for a brief moment the consequences of some of the decisions made over these past four or five years in particular we might not be in the chaotic and dire and painful circumstances which many find themselves in today and through no fault of their own.
That is tragic.
We need able and capable but sensitive leadership and such leadership is a scarce commodity in our world.
Do people really want able and capable and sensitive leadership, or are they satisfied to just muddle along.
Biblical leadership involves biblical principles and that might reveal and bring to the surface too much sin! But biblical leadership will honour the name of God and will not take the take of the Lord God in vain and will respect Jesus Christ who came to rescue us out of all our various messes.
There was a notice in the shop of a godly businessman which read, 'Nothing dishonourable before the Lord or before man shall be done by me today'.
If that were to be on the walls of our main businesses and corporations and governmental departments what a lot of suffering and sadness and embarrassment and heartache might be prevented.
If that was on the wall of every Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, and in each boardroom there could be economic revival within a few weeks! There are times when we not only listen to Almighty God, but we have to listen to the advice of others, and that might surprisingly be prophetic.
God strengthens those whose hearts are fully committed to Him, and there are situation too when people must be able to see our good deeds and integrity and honesty, not for show nor for boasting, but for a witness to the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ who has changed and transformed us and brought about a new creation with new attitudes and values and standards.