Proverbs 20:6

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them trust:

Proverbs 20:6

Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy man?

Words mean nothing without the walk behind them and supporting them! You can claim your loyalty with you mouth but you must demonstrate it with your life by being trusted. Loyalty is something that leaders desire and need. Many claim to be loyal to the leader but the follower who is indeed loyal demonstrates it through being trusted to carry about the mission and the desires of the leader. The connection between loyalty and trust can't be diminished. But, the real teaching in this proverb is the relationship between "proclaiming" one things (loyalty) and the "finding" of the other (trustworthiness). What is proclaimed must be found to make the proclamation valid. We have many who claim loyalty and then when the fire gets hot they are no where to be found. Our Savior saw this when all the disciples scattered. They proclaimed loyalty and then denied association (think Peter). A "trustworthy" follower is one who is there when the idea didn't work; or the project was a bust; or the game plan failed. Loyalty is the words, trustworthiness is the action. Which are we?

Note also:

Proverbs 20:28 (ESV)

28 Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,

and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.