DAILY TEXT, Today Sunday, August 25, 2024, A trustworthy person knows how to keep a confidence (Prov. 11:13).

Let us examine the scriptures every day 2024

Sunday August 25, 2024

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

Today we greatly value the work of elders and ministerial servants, who are trustworthy brothers. 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? 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. w22.09 10 paras. 7, 8.

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).

How do elders and their wives show that they are trustworthy? And what do we learn from an elder who discusses a confidential matter and then is with his family? (See photo).

In the congregation. Elders who know how to keep a secret are “like a shelter from the wind” to their brothers (Isa. 32:2). We know that we can talk to them about anything with the confidence that they will not tell what we tell them. We don't pressure them to tell us things they should keep private. Furthermore, we highly value the wives of the elderly because they do not try to extract confidential information from them. In fact, it is a blessing that the elders do not discuss the personal affairs of their brothers with their wives. An elder's wife said, “I am grateful that my husband does not tell me anything about the brothers he ministers to on pastoral visits or those who need spiritual help. He doesn't even tell me their names. I appreciate that he doesn't burden me with issues I can't do anything about. This way I can treat all the brothers naturally. And I know that when I tell him about a problem or how I feel, he won't tell anyone.” Naturally, we all want to have a reputation for being trustworthy. Let's look at five qualities that will help us achieve this.

Explain why love is the basis of trust.

Love is the basis of trust. Jesus said that the two most important commandments are to love Jehovah and love your neighbor (Matt. 22:37-39). Because we love Jehovah, we want to be like him, who is the most trustworthy person there is. For example, love for our brothers drives us not to disclose their personal affairs. Let us never reveal anything that could hurt or embarrass them (John 15:12).

How does humility help us be trustworthy?

Humility will help us be trustworthy. The humble Christian will not try to impress others by being the first to give news (Phil. 2:3). Nor will he act important by implying that he knows things that he cannot tell. On the other hand, if we are humble, we will not go around preaching our personal ideas on issues that are not mentioned in the Bible or in our publications.

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