Givers, Not Lenders Be

For Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Proverbs 11:15

Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.

This is a proverb that many of us have learned the hard way as we tried to help out someone in need with a loan or signing for a loan. If you wish to help someone, then give. If you make a loan, or co-sign for a loan, then only do so with the expectation that you will not get that money back; otherwise, you set yourself up for a fall.

Friendships have been destroyed and family relations broken over the lending of money. The money owed becomes a sore-spot; the one owing the money starts to avoid you. Conversation is strained because you both know the issue is always present. Or perhaps the friend seems to show no concern. All the more then his attitude aggravates you. Doesn't he care?

Do not put others in your debt, especially when it comes to money. What you part with, do so freely and cheerfully. Know the cost of co-signing and be willing and ready to pay that cost. Scripture tells us to give liberally, but never to lend liberally.

That is the gospel. God gave freely his Son; the Son gave freely his life. Thus, we are free of the burden of having to pay a debt that we can never pay. We are free to love our Friend, our Brother, our Lord.