“Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.”
This verse is not against lending money to help someone who is either in a momentarily difficult situation or cannot attain financial help from the usual places. This specifically warns about trusting someone you don’t know or at least do not know well and the stress and anxiety that comes with waiting and hoping you get paid back. Believe it or not I once put my house up as collateral for a friends financial need. Stupid. I also co-signed for a mortgage on someone not know to be the best at handling money. Stupid. This verse goes further and talks of guaranteeing a loan for someone you hardly know who it turns out was not very trustworthy. Not taking on that responsibility obviously lowers your risk as well as your stress. I’m not a financial expert. As I’ve just mentioned I did not practice what Solomon preached in those two examples as well as a few others. I’m still paying for the first example. The writer here is teaching us a basic truth in not bringing willful stress and anxiety to our journey. He wants us to walk away from get rich quick schemes as well as not doing due diligence and recklessly moving forward on any decision. God provides wisdom and wise counsel to His followers. Today use it. #BeTheEdge
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 NIV
