We are all accountable to the Father for all the resources He entrusts to us. Let us not be foolish and careless in how we manage what He has provided us.
We ought to take seriously any and all debt we incur directly or indirectly for which we can be held accountable. Let us not be hasty in participating in the debt of others, whether neighbor or stranger, in a way in which we may be accountable to repay it. We are wise to consider that any debt risk we expose ourselves to should not exceed that which we are willing to lose or give away. We must not make assumptions that any particular individual will “definitely” pay back a debt they incur, even if members of our own family.
Parental Counsel
1My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor,
Have given a pledge for a stranger,
2If you have been snared with the words of your mouth,
Have been caught with the words of your mouth,
3Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself;
Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor,
Go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor.
4Give no sleep to your eyes,
Nor slumber to your eyelids;
5Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand
And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
I encourage you to take this scripture quite literally. If you are “on the hook” for debt incurred by your neighbor, family member, or stranger such that you have to pay if they default… look for ways to quickly get out of the situation. You should only offer up what you are willing to give or lose in these types of situations. Never offer up your guarantee or cosign for a debt on the confident assumption you will never have to pay it.
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Remember that all you have belongs to God. Manage your money God’s way and use it for His glory rather than your own. Visit GrowGodsMoney.org .