Can You Pay If They Don’t?

November 5, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 27:11-13 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. Take his garment that is surety for a stranger and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

If you are warned once by a credible source that something is wrong, that should be enough. However, when God says it twice or more, you definitely need to take notice. That is what we see here, as God through Solomon repeats his warning from chapter 20:16.

Getting free from our own personal debt is not the only thing in which Christians find themselves bound. Often, to help a family member or close friend we will sign our name for them to get a loan. We need to understand, God is not against us helping one another. Even co-signing a loan in and of itself, is not wrong. However, we must keep in mind…

 It becomes wrong if you cannot pay the debt if they don’t. You have then lied to the
lending firm saying that you could.

 It becomes wrong if paying that debt would put a strain on your own family. You have
now bound others into your agreement and caused them hardship as well.

 It’s wrong if you are providing a way of escape for someone whom God is trying to teach
a lesson by allowing him or her to be in this financial situation.

So, what should you do now if you have done one of these things? Do all you can to get out of that contract. Watch the debtor like a hawk. Continually ask and monitor if they have paid that debt. If you ask long enough, they will find someone else to replace your name, and most likely never ask you again!

Debt in and of itself is not always wrong. Even the children of Israel had debt. We know that because every seven years they were to pay it off. It is unsecured debt that we cannot cover that becomes the problem.


THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

Our sin is an example of unsecured debt. It is a debt owed for which we cannot pay. We do not have the ability to pay that debt. The good news is, someone co-signed our bill and with His mercy and grace then paid it off. His name is Jesus.

GOD TALKING TO ME: November 5, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
John 16 – 18 / Proverbs 27:11-13

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Jeremiah 42-45 / Hebrews 4-5

Living In His Word Ministries