The Stewardship of Trustworthiness By Jon Lewis

An Urgent Call for Trustworthiness

The faithful stewardship of trustworthiness is a real and urgent call. We are living through a time of global trust collapse, and Christian leaders are not immune to its consequences. We long to place trust in our political, civic, business, and church leaders—those whose decisions shape our lives daily. And yet, it is difficult to recall a moment like the present, when people across cultures and communities express such deep despair over the trustworthiness of their institutions and those who lead them.

A High Priority

That is why the stewardship of trust may be the most urgent priority facing leaders today, regardless of their role or sphere of responsibility. A brief engagement with the wisdom literature of Psalms and Proverbs quickly reveals that trust is a precious form of moral capital—essential for long-term influence and endurance. Yet trust requires intentional care, or it will vanish with startling speed through careless inattention. Proverbs speak directly to this enduring quality of trustworthiness:

 “When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.”

Proverbs 10:25

Behavior and Focus

Biblical wisdom also says that trustworthiness rests on two closely related foundations: behavior and focus.

Trustworthy behavior reflects life-shaping qualities such as integrity, faithfulness, humility, accountability, and transparency. These are not momentary actions, but patterns of character formed over time.

Trust focus, however, addresses the deeper question of where trust is a priority. Scripture is unambiguous: trust must center on God alone—not on human strength, personal insight, or institutional power.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.”

Proverbs 3:5

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”

Psalm 20:7

Practical Guardrails

So how can contemporary Christian leaders cultivate and sustain trustworthiness? Consider four practical guardrails.

Don’t substitute position for presence.

Holding a title or position of authority does not automatically generate confidence among those we lead. Trust grows when leaders are close enough to their people to listen carefully and discern what is truly happening in their hearts and lives. As Proverbs cautions,

“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks; give careful attention to your herds.”

Proverbs 27:23

Don’t confuse charisma with credibility.

Passion and vision may attract followers, but they are no substitute for an honorable and consistent character. Credibility is forged through integrity practiced over time. Proverbs issues a sober warning:

“Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?”

Proverbs 20:6

Don’t protect the organization at the expense of relationships.

In an era obsessed with metrics and outcomes, leaders may feel pressure to justify relational distance—or even partial truthfulness—for the sake of organizational success. Yet whenever truth is obscured, trust inevitably erodes once reality comes to light. Proverbs remind us,

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”

Proverbs 10:9

Don’t accept authority without accountability.

Creative initiative and independence are often considered leadership strengths, but when authority operates without meaningful accountability, ethical compromise is rarely far behind. Proverbs offer a clear warning:

“Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.”

Proverbs 18:1

The Hazard of Neglect

These are only some of the traps leaders encounter when trustworthiness is neglected. Yet in an age marked by collapsing confidence in institutions and those who manage them, Christian leaders are uniquely positioned to offer a compelling alternative. By stewarding both their trustworthy behavior and their trust focus, they can demonstrate that credibility is still possible, and that trust, once earned, can be faithfully preserved.

Jon Lewis is a Senior Associate for Partnership Advancement with OC International. He focuses on encouraging global Christian leaders to be more effective in ministry. With over 40 years of experience, he has served as an MAF mission pilot in Africa and as CEO of Partners International.

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