Who Do You Trust?

Especially when you are hurt…

Who? Well. You used to have someone… But now…

• …That person is someone you can no longer chat with and share your thoughts and concerns.
• …That person is someone who is repeating everything you said, but slanting it to their own advantage.
• …That person is someone who constantly criticizes you, who once said they were your friend.

Though there is a pain scale that doctors always ask you about, I’m not certain there is such thing as a sliding scale of trust!

It’s either all. Or nothing. And this is something we have learned over and over, often to our detriment because we did not learn it good enough the first time.

Why? Partly, because, we did not learn how to share a little and see what the results were like. No, we probably assumed too much and shared too much.

Is There A Sliding Scale?

Jesus teaches that with more trust there will be more expected. The lower the trust level, then the lighter the expectations of return. (Matthew 12:48)

I would call this a sliding scale and example of trust.

Think about it like this. Jesus, again, teaches about giving out “talents” (coinage) in various numbers to certain individuals. From the one who received more, more is required.

His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’  (Matthew 25:21 & 23 NKJV)

But to the one who could only be entrusted with a single talent… I describe this person as either “barely able” or the new kid on the block who has not yet been tested. Let’s give ‘em a talent and see what they can do with it!

How did the recipient of the single talent respond?

“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.  
(Matthew 25:24-29 NKJV)

The culture of ownership, reward and punishment was totally different back in that time. But looked what happened to the one talent taken from that nearly able individual – it was given to the one who doubled from 5 to 10! Given to the productive one with a lot on their plate!

Lost Trust

When trust is lost with someone, it is often given to someone who has abundantly proven they can handle the load!

“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters
cannot be trusted with important matters.”
~Albert Einstein

And if you cannot trust yourself with the truth, how will anyone else trust you? The truth, unless managed carefully, will delude trust. Trust and truth must go hand in hand.

But trust is a multi-lane highway, even with multiple directions required.

“…For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:48 NKJV)

You are given, and it will be required. It is committed to you, and from you will more be asked.

How well are you trusted?

Well, there is only one who can be truly trusted…all the way…with everything…

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalms 18:2 NKJV)

Psalms 18 is a replication from 2 Samuel 22. It is written by King David after he won a series of battles and he became the King.

Noting that it was God who was his strength, shield and the source of his salvation, we understand that there is a great deal of trust put into God, and only God… Not man. Not what his hands can find to do. Nor in others who may have been entrusted with various tasks.

This makes me consider the greatest strategy of trust.

Put God first in everything. And God takes care of all our yesterdays, today’s and tomorrows.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:33-34 NKJV)