Trust Me …. Trust Me Not – Bible study
According to an online dictionary, one of the definitions of the term trust is, firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing. In todays selfish, me first society, trusting other people is becoming more and more, a character quality of past generations. Trust is based on past evidence that an individual will always do what they say or promise they will do, barring unforeseen circumstances.
Frank Sonnenberg, a marketing strategist, has written four books and published over 300 articles. He has appeared on CNN as a nationally recognized expert in the field of marketing, and served as the National Director of Marketing for Ernst & Youngs Management Consulting Group for over a decade.
In his above titled article, Mr. Sonnenberg, makes the following comments regarding the quality of trust in past generations:
The trust deficit is a sea change from the time when a persons word was his bond, when employees worked for one company until they retired, when business deals were made on the basis of I know your father or Weve worked with your company before. These were all ways of saying we recognize your values, understand how much your reputation means to you, and know how you conduct business. These values resulted in increased business, stronger customer loyalty, better employee morale, reduced turnover, and higher profit margins.
Mr. Sonnenberg continues by providing a practical illustration and applications of trust:
Trust is like love in a marriage: it bonds people together and makes them strong and effective. Trust in a relationship increases security, reduces inhibitions and defensiveness, and frees people to share feelings and dreams. Trust empowers you to put your deepest fears in the palms of your colleagues hands, knowing that they will be treated with care. Trust enables you to be yourself and maintain your own values without worrying about acceptance. Trust makes colleagues willing to spend time together and make sacrifices for one another. Trust is an expression of faith that makes it easy for colleagues to have confidence in one anothers ability to perform well and to know that they will be there if needed. Trust means that promises made will be kept, and it also means that if a promise is not kept, it was probably for good cause. And finally, trust means that a relationship will last not because it is good business, but because the relationship itself is valued.
The apostle Paul told the Thessalonian brethren that he, along with the other apostles, had been entrusted with the gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:4). Paul told Timothy, to Guard what was committed to your trust (1 Timothy 6:20).
As members of the Lords body, the church (Ephesians 1:22-23), can we be trusted to preach and teach the whole counsel of God with regard to the gospel, as Paul said that he did? (Acts 20:24,27).
Lets think about it! And then make any necessary adjustments.
Related Article:
- May I Have a Word with You?