(Prov 22:26,27 NLT) Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else. If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you.
This morning we continue our series, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” This is the 4th Saying: an Admonition against making Rash Pledges. As believers we want to BE a blessing to others. We are taught to operate with passion towards God and compassion towards others, but here Solomon is warning us against making a decision to help someone out without actually thinking, and praying, it through. In Solomon’s day, to guarantee a loan for someone else was known as becoming a “surety” for them, in today’s language it is known as a co-signer. Solomon warns against it because of the negative ramifications it can have on your own financial situation. But let me be clear up front, Solomon is NOT teaching us against generosity, but rather against overextending your financial resources and acting irresponsibly. It is one thing to have compassion for someone else, but quite another to commit your family and your income to their mistake. God wants us to help our friends and the needy, but He does not promise to cover the costs of every unwise commitment we take on; especially those we take on without His leading.
This reminds me of something that Jesus taught in Luke chapter 14 about counting the cost of an endeavor BEFORE entering into it. He said, “Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’” (28-30). The same principle applies here. If you decide to guarantee the loan on another you better be darn sure you can cover the expenses if they default, because if you have not counted the cost, you can be signing up for a disastrous situation; and what makes it worse, is that it is one you could have avoided altogether by staying away from someone else’s financial commitment. Credit (in and of itself) is not a bad thing, but it can become a bad thing if not managed correctly. Solomon warned his readers (believers) from putting their good name on the line for someone else’s commitment. That’s good counsel. Why overextend your family’s resources unnecessarily?
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. The Father expects us to be wise in business. Being a Christian, and loving people, does not mean that we should be gullible and stupid. There is a difference between being generous and making a poor decision.
2. Don’t allow your emotions to take you where your bank account can’t keep you. This is great advice in today’s credit-laden society.
3. Count the cost. Think things through, prayer over them, and make sound decisions.
4. If you make a mistake, don’t allow pride to keep you in it. Get out as soon as you can.
5. God is not obligated to bless your mess, so be careful what obligations you take on. Where He leads, He feeds. Where He guides, He provides. If it’s His will, then it’s His bill! But if you take on obligations without seeking God, and knowingly ignoring His counsel, then you are going to have to reap the harvest of the bad seeds sown.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for walking with me daily. You lead me in the way that I should go. I declare, by faith, that everything decision I make is a decision that is birthed out of my prayer life. I make decisions, especially financial ones, that line up with Your counsel. I am a blessing to others and I give to those in need. However, I am led in my giving. I don’t overextend myself and endanger my family by making poor decisions. You lead me in the area of my finances and in every area of my life. I pray, I think things through, I count the cost, and I make sound decisions – BY FAITH! This way I will always be in a position to BE a blessing to others, to ensure my family is taken care of, and to represent You well in all that I do. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
