Trustworthiness

That quality of truthfulness and dependability which rewards faith. God is trustworthy and his people are called to be trustworthy in their dealings with other people. Scripture warns against pinning one's hopes on people and things that will prove untrustworthy.

God is trustworthy

God's words are trustworthy

2 Samuel 7:28 See also Psalm 19:7, Psalm 111:7; Daniel 2:45; 1 Timothy 1:15, 1 Timothy 4:9–10; Revelation 21:5

And now, O Lord GOD, You are God! Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant.

God rewards trust in him

Psalm 22:4–5 See also Psalm 20:6–8, Psalm 21:7, Psalm 125:1; Isaiah 25:9; 2 Timothy 1:12

In You our fathers trusted; they trusted and You delivered them. They cried out to You and were set free; they trusted in You and were not disappointed.

Qualities of those who are trustworthy

Integrity in business dealings

Deuteronomy 25:13–16 See also Leviticus 19:36; Proverbs 11:1, Proverbs 20:23; Hosea 12:7; Micah 6:11

You shall not have two differing weights in your bag, one heavy and one light. You shall not have two differing measures in your house, one large and one small. You must maintain accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. For everyone who behaves dishonestly in regard to these things is detestable to the LORD your God.

Honesty in handling money

2 Kings 12:15 See also 2 Kings 22:7; Luke 16:10–12

No accounting was required from the men who received the money to pay the workmen, because they acted with integrity.

Not corrupted by greed

Exodus 18:21 Qualities of the elders appointed by Moses. See also 1 Samuel 8:3; Proverbs 13:11; Ezekiel 28:18; 1 Timothy 3:8

Furthermore, select capable men from among the people — God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

Ability to keep confidences

Proverbs 11:13 See also Proverbs 20:19, Proverbs 25:9

A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.

Truthfulness

Proverbs 12:17 See also Proverbs 16:13; Zechariah 8:16–17; Ephesians 4:15, Ephesians 4:25Proverbs 13:17 See also Proverbs 24:26, Proverbs 25:13, Proverbs 27:6

He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.

A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.

Faithfulness with what is entrusted

Luke 12:48 See also Matthew 25:14–27 parallel Luke 19:12–231 Corinthians 4:1–21 Corinthians 9:17; 1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 1:14; Jude 1:3

But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.

So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

Trustworthiness required in leaders

1 Peter 5:2–3 See also 1 Timothy 3:11 trustworthiness also required in wives of deacons (NIV text) or deaconesses (NIV footnote); Titus 1:7

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Examples of people considered trustworthy

Genesis 39:6 Joseph; Numbers 12:7 Moses; 1 Samuel 27:12 David. Though trusted by Achish, David was deceiving him; 2 Kings 22:5–7 parallel 2 Chronicles 34:10–12 those supervising work on the temple; Nehemiah 13:13 Nehemiah's treasurers; Daniel 6:4 Daniel; Acts 12:20 Blastus, Herod's treasurer; 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Paul, approved by God