The Scout Law: Trustworthy

August 25, 2025

As we embark on this twelve-part series exploring the Scout Law, we begin with the first point: Trustworthy. When I joined Troop 315 at eleven, memorizing the Scout Law was more than a requirement, it was a roadmap for becoming not just a great scout, but a person of integrity. Trustworthy leads the list because it’s the foundation of character. A trustworthy person’s word is their bond, their actions consistent with their promises. This value, deeply rooted in America’s past, helped forge a nation where people could rely on one another. As we start this school year, reflecting on trustworthiness offers a chance to strengthen our lives and communities.

In simpler times, a handshake sealed deals and trust was the currency of relationships. Today, with contracts and fine print dominating interactions, trustworthiness feels rarer, yet it remains essential. Most of us believe in the principle of honesty, but being trustworthy goes beyond not lying—it means being reliable, keeping promises and acting with integrity, even when it’s costly or when no one else knows the truth. When sacrifice is required, trustworthiness shines as a choice to uphold what’s right over what’s easy.

Consider Sarah, a small-town grocer I know. During a busy holiday season, a supplier accidentally over-delivered canned goods to her store. It would have been easy to keep the extra stock, nobody would have noticed, and it could have boosted her profits. But Sarah contacted the supplier, reported the error and arranged to return the excess. Her teenage son, helping at the store, watched this unfold. Years later, he shared, “Mom didn’t make a big deal out of it. She just said, ‘It’s not ours.’ That stuck with me. Doing the right thing, even when no one’s watching.” Sarah’s example wasn’t just a lesson for her son; it was a testament to living with integrity.

The Bible underscores this value. Psalm 15:1 asks, “Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?” One of the answers is Psalm 15:4b, someone who “keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind.” Trustworthiness means standing by your word, even at personal cost.

I experienced how hard this can be once when I backed into a car in a nearly empty parking lot. I was so tempted to drive away. I remember how my faith, and the scout law about being trustworthy, played over in my mind. I knew I could forget about it in a few days but I also knew it would go against everything I wanted to define my character. When my cell phone started ringing to get more insurance information I didn’t like it, but I did like that I had been true to myself, the scout law and most importantly God.

Living trustworthy lives isn’t just about personal integrity; it shapes those around us. As a scout leader, I’ve seen how young scouts watch their mentors. My scouts know they can trust me. But more importantly, if/when I mess up, they know I will be honest and own my mistakes. I have made plenty of them over the years, but it has built trust because of the way I have handled those mistakes.

Have you ever considered what trustworthiness looks like in your life? Perhaps it’s returning extra change at a store, admitting a mistake at work or keeping a promise to a friend despite inconvenience. Reflect on a time when being trustworthy required sacrifice. How did it shape you or those around you?

Who in your life exemplifies trustworthiness? Maybe it’s a teacher who always follows through, a parent who admits their faults or a friend who keeps confidences. These models inspire us to live better, not to impress others, but to align with God’s call. As 1 Timothy 4:12 encourages, “Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

How might more trustworthiness strengthen our nation? Imagine a community where people keep their word, businesses operate transparently, and leaders act with integrity. Trustworthiness builds trust, and trust strengthens relationships, communities, and nations. It’s a value that made America great and can do so again if we choose to live it.

As we ground ourselves in Christ, prayer and Scripture guide us to be trustworthy. Psalm 86:11 prays, “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.” Let’s commit to being trustworthy, reflecting God’s truth in our words and actions. Who has shaped your understanding of trustworthiness? Have you thanked them? Consider making your own list of values, starting with trustworthiness, and challenge your family to do the same. Praise be to God, whose faithfulness inspires us to live with integrity! (To learn more about Al Earley or read previous articles, see www.lagrangepres.org. You can purchase my book, My Faith Journal, at Amazon.com, a compilation of 366 articles as a daily devotional. Check out my podcast on YouTube, called “My Faith Journey”).