How Many Trust Points Do You Have?

Fast Company published an article today on how trust is becoming the means for a company to grow its brand.

Trust. Imagine that, a Kingdom value that has a purpose in all areas of life--including business.

As Kingdom citizens, we do not need a marketing department or social scientist to conclude that trust has both eternal and pragmatic consequences. For it is through trust (πίστις) we enter the Kingdom. We come to understand the nature and character of God and respond in repentance and faith.

We are then called to reflect the way of Jesus (Col 2:6; 1 John 2:6) to the world. "Be imitators of me," Paul would write, "as I am of Christ" (1 Cor 11:1). Christ, the one who could be trusted because of his nature and character.

Whenever the world encounters the Church, they ask:

Is what you believe true?

Do you care for me?

Can I trust you?

As followers of Christ, we are not to be people who swear by heaven, but simply say "yes" or "no" (Matt 5:37). Our words and actions must reflect the way of Jesus (Col 2:6; 1 John 2:6). The world frequently will misunderstand and disagree, but they will witness a consistency and steadfastness in an age of hypocrisy, cowardice, and quitters. And that degree of integrity is dynamic and magnetic.

But if the Church fails to walk the way of Christ, filled with the Spirit, then we begin to manifest the world's value system.

And when this occurs, trust is a rare find. Just ask Fast Company.

Are you known as a person of trust in your social networks?

Is your church known as a people of trust in your community?

Is your association/denomination known to be trustworthy?

If not, then it is going to be difficult to make disciples of all nations. . . . But if we are untrustworthy people, then we are probably unconcerned about the Great Commission, too.

The five billion remain.

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Lord willing, my next book Understanding Evangelism will be released with Baker this fall (September 2025). It is now available for pre-order. Check it out at Amazon and please consider getting a copy, sharing with others, and posting a review. I would greatly appreciate it!