[254 words]
I love the way the apostle Paul describes the younger preacher Timothy. He liked to brag about this man to others. When he wrote to the church in Philippi, here’s what he said about Timothy:
“I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father” (Phil. 2:20-22).
Paul obviously had a lot of confidence in Timothy and could trust him with any mission he gave him. This has always inspired me to strive to develop similar relationships. I want people to have the kind of confidence and trust in me that they could count on me when necessary.
Trust, however, is always earned. One must exhibit himself to be trustworthy in small things in order to gain the.confidence of people for more important responsibilities. If, for example, we tell little “white” lies because it is convenient for us, we will likely fool no one and will diminish any confidence with them we may have previously gained. Always being truthful is a way that we build trust. Another way to build trust is to handle responsibilities well. Therefore, if we want the confidence of others, then we must earn that confidence by having a good track record with them. Let’s become a people in whom others may have confidence.
Guy Orbison Jr.
Church of Christ
Durango, CO