DAILY TEXT, Today's Friday, March 29, 2024, A trustworthy person knows how to keep a confidence (Prov. 11:13).

Let us examine the scriptures every day 2024

Friday March 29, 2024

The trustworthy person knows how to keep a confidence (Prov. 11:13).

In 455 BC, after rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Governor Nehemiah put some trusted men in charge of the city. One of them was Hananiah, the head of the Fortress. The Bible says that Hananiah “was a very trustworthy man and feared the true God more than many others” (Neh. 7:2). Love for Jehovah and fear of displeasing Him motivated Hananiah to take seriously any responsibility he received. These same qualities will help us be trustworthy servants of God. Let's look at the example of Tychicus, a trusted companion of the apostle Paul. Paul enlisted the help of Tychicus and said that he was a “faithful minister in the Lord” (Eph. 6:21, 22). He not only trusted him to bring letters to the brothers in Ephesus and Colossae, but also to encourage and console them. Tychicus makes us think of the faithful and trustworthy men of our day who care for our spiritual needs (Col. 4:7-9). w22.09 9, 10 paras. 5, 6.

What good example do the elders and ministerial servants in our congregation set for us?

Today we greatly value the work of elders and ministerial servants, who are trustworthy brothers. Like Daniel, Hananiah, and Tychicus, they take their responsibilities seriously. For example, when we go to the midweek meeting, we are sure that all parts of the program will have been assigned. And the elders are very grateful when the brothers and sisters prepare well and present their assignments. Furthermore, when we invite our Bible students to the weekend meeting, we do not ask whether a speaker has been invited for the public talk. On the other hand, we trust that we will have the necessary publications to preach. Without a doubt, we feel that these faithful brothers take good care of us, and we thank Jehovah. But how can we prove that we are trustworthy?

How do we demonstrate balance in caring for others? (Proverbs 11:13).

We love our brothers and we care about what happens to them. But we must be balanced and respect their private life. In the Christian congregation of the first century there were people who were gossips, meddling in other people's affairs, and talking about things they should not (1 Tim. 5:13). We sure don't want to be like that. Let's imagine that someone talks to us about a personal matter assuming that it will remain between us. For example, a sister tells us that she has a health problem or that she is going through some other test, and she asks us not to tell anyone. It is clear that we must respect her wishes (read Proverbs 11:13).b In what other situations is it important for us to know how to keep a confidence?

How can family members show that they are trustworthy?

In the family. All family members must keep certain household matters private. For example, a husband may think that a custom of his wife's is a bit funny. Wouldn't he talk to other people about that? Of course not. Because he loves her, he never wants to do anything that embarrasses her or hurts her feelings (Eph. 5:33). Parents should remember that teenagers like to be treated with respect. That is why they would not humiliate them by telling other people about their mistakes (Col. 3:21). And children have to learn to be discreet, not to tell things that could embarrass someone in the family (Deut. 5:16). If everyone does their best to keep household matters private, the family will be more united.

How does a true friend behave? (Proverbs 17:17).

With friends. Almost everyone needs to vent to a good friend at some point in their life. Sometimes that's difficult. Perhaps we are not used to talking to anyone about our deepest feelings. And, if we dare to do it and then find out that our friend told others what we told him, we feel very bad. On the other hand, how much we appreciate having someone who knows how to keep a confidence. He is a “true friend”! (Read Proverbs 17:17).

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