TLC: Invalid Trust
The Rev. Jack Estes
09/23/2007

Trust is an essential principle of the spiritual life. Our relationship with God relies on the fact that he is trustworthy, and that we are willing to place our trust in him. Trust in his love. Trust in his provision. Trust in his word. In fact, trust is foundational to all healthy relationships — trust between friends, trust in marriage between husband and wife, trust between employer and employee.

Trust bonds us to one another. Every bond of trust exists with certain conditions that in turn promise certain benefits. Thus the bond of trust is covenantal by nature, flowing back and forth between those who have committed themselves to one another.

Trust also functions as a bond in the life of a community, and is closely tied to authority. In our society, individuals and agencies in which we invest authority are expected to act in accordance with the values of society, with righteousness, honesty, and responsibility. When and if they do not, the public trust is violated. Those at fault must be held accountable for trust to be restored.
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