The person who is trustworthy in very small matters
is also trustworthy in great ones;
and the person who is dishonest in very small matters
is also dishonest in great ones.
If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth,
who will trust you with true wealth?
If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another,
who will give you what is yours?
~ Luke 16:10-12
Trust is the oil that keeps the flame of a relationship burning. No matter what kind of a relationship (between husband and wife, among friends, with clients and customers, between a teacher and the students), trust is the glue that binds two or more people together. The loss of trust usually signals the end of a relationship.
The remarkable thing is that this holds true even for relationships that are not socially acceptable or even criminally liable. There is a lot of truth in saying that “There is honor among thieves.” The big difference is that loss of trust among thieves will not only mean the end of a relationship. It could very well mean the end of one’s life. Trifling with the trust of the wrong people may be hazardous to your health and well-being.
To be successful then in my relationships, I must be trustworthy. But sometimes, there are occasions that I lose or betray the trust of people I have relationships with. For important relationships, it is essential to have a cure for broken relationships. To keep my relationships strong, I know I have to love truly and strongly enough to take care not to lose the trust of my loved one. And when I do betray that trust, as I am prone to do, forgiveness is the salve that will restore the trust.
“Lord Jesus, help me listen and learn your words about trust and trustworthiness. May I live them out in my life.”