What are the benefits of loyalty?

Question

Accepted Answer

Ruth 1:14-16They wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi. “Look,” Naomi said to her, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.” But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”

Loyalty is a way to value the people God has brought into our lives, and it may open the door to other blessings. Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi not only comforted them both, but it also brought Ruth to faith and into a marriage that began the family line of David and the Messiah.

1 Samuel 18:1-4After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.

1 Samuel 19:6-7Saul listened to Jonathan and vowed, “As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be killed.” Afterward Jonathan called David and told him what had happened. Then he brought David to Saul, and David served in the court as before.

Loyalty brings the satisfaction of commitment to a relationship and may also bring practical benefits such as protection and care for our welfare. Jonathan’s loyalty to David was instrumental in saving David’s life on more than one occasion.

Acts 15:37-38Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work.

Loyalty can keep a relationship alive so that we can help restore a friend who has failed. Barnabas’s persistent loyalty to John Mark gave John Mark another opportunity to prove himself—and he did (see Colossians 4:10).