Can I trust You?

Read Proverbs 20.

"Trust me", they say.  But are they trustworthy?  Trust is established by verification and/or performance.  Did their words prove true?  Did they do what they promised?

The Bible holds in highest regard a person's faithfulness.  It is a serious matter to the LORD.  Our world treats truth as relative.  Deceit is acceptable.  Lying is rationalized and excused.  Verse 6 asks the question, "...a faithful man who can find?"

1. Claims.
Exaggerations and overstatements are no substitutes for truthfulness in claims or accomplishments.  How many times have high-profile people been caught with false claims on their resumes or plagiarism in their writings?  Some can look right into the camera or under oath and lie.
 
2. Commitments.
Everyday people make promises to lenders to pay on time over a period of years.  They sign their name to the contract to be faithful.  The ultimate commitment in life is marriage.  Before God, family and witnesses the couple makes a lifelong promise, regardless of the circumstances.  The vow states "until death" but at least 50% of marriages do not last that long.  Usually, it is one party who decides to violate the trust and prove to be unfaithful.  Instead of being embarrassed and humbly dealing with the sin, the guilty party wants to simply and pridefully walk away.

3. Conduct.
Verse 23 refers to how one conducts their business.  Some are willing to say anything to make a sale or cheat to get ahead.  But, accuracy is important to God who watches every transaction.

Faithfulness is a character issue of integrity.  God is ever trustworthy.  Those who know Jesus are to reflect His character in every moment.  

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)