Over 30 years ago, I was tasked with overseeing a monthly business seminar in SW Wyoming. Attendance numbers always fluctuated somewhat, but over time steadily grew. On several occasions, participants outstripped our preparations and the capacity of our venue. That left us scrambling to accommodate the crowd and ensure they had a meaningful and productive atmosphere. My chief lieutenant, Kelly, was always there, in the moment, to handle whatever task was required. His loyalty to me and the project was legendary and at times cost him. Sometimes his own money, and always his time and skill. His desire was manifest or shown by his consistent action.
It has been said that loyalty is displayed best by caring more for the well-being of others than for yourself.
Sometime in the early 6th Century BC, Nebuchadnezzar carried captive from his conquest of Judah three young men into Babylon. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They, along with their companion Daniel, were judged to be ‘well favored, skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science…’ (Daniel 1:4). Eventually the three were renamed with the Chaldean names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego and where made advisers to the king. Nebuchadnezzar created a very large golden image and required all to bow down to the image. These three Jewish advisers had made a covenant to God that they would not worship any graven image and so refused. Punishment was swift and harsh. They were to be placed in a fiery furnace until they were completely consumed. When questioned about their disobedience and reminded of their impending punishment, the three exclaimed, ‘Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.’ (Daniel 3:17-18).
This is the best demonstration I know of regarding loyalty. Even unto death, they would not be disloyal to God or His commandments.
May we build that kind of faith and loyalty in our personal lives with our family, friends, and coworkers.
”The scholar does not consider gold and jade to be precious treasures, but loyalty and good faith.” The Ethics of Confucius
