“So, if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?” (Luke 16:11, 12)

He lived in the United Kingdom for about thirty years and studied at Oxford University. During those years, Professor Ayiku never visited Ghana, his country. When Ghana gained independence from British rule in 1957, Professor Ayiku planned his transition home. He sent money to his nephew, Kofi Adusah, to build for him a house. Adusah sent him periodic reports with photographs. That made him proud before his British wife.

The much-awaited day came, and Prof. Ayiku and his family left London for Accra with pride and great anticipation. Adusah welcomed him at the airport and drove the old Professor to a luxurious house he presumed to be his own but was not. It belonged to Adusah.

Prof. Ayiku asked to be taken to his house the following day, but Adusah gave excuses about some last-minute decorative work in progress. In the meantime, they could visit their village for some days to greet their family.

Back in Accra, Adusah took his uncle to see the building he was building for him. Prof. Ayiku’s jaw dropped at what he saw, and he broke down in uncontrollable sobs.

Regrettably, people maneuver to gain other people’s confidence and then woefully disappoint them in the end. It is a common phenomenon in marriages, business partnerships, friendships, and the Church. Is it any wonder we find it difficult to trust people anymore?

Trust is the firm foundation for every relationship. If the parties cannot be faithful to one another and the reason for their relationship, there is little hope for it.

The good news is, though humans may be unfaithful, God is forever faithful (Psalm 117:2). Faithfulness is His very nature (2 Tim 2:13). It expresses God’s immutability when He deals with His creation (Mal. 3:6). That is why He is dependable.

As His redeemed children, God expects us to be faithful (Lk. 16:10-12, 1 Pt. 1:16). It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit we reflect when we yield to Him (Gal. 5:22-25). The benefit is favor and a good name in the sight of God and man (Prov. 3:3, 4).

You may wonder why nobody trusts you with anything; or why God doesn’t give you any responsibility with promotion (Lk. 16: 11, 12). Check your faithfulness meter for your answer. The Holy Spirit is waiting for your call for help if your meter reading disappoints you.