Does someone owe you money?
TODAY'S PROVERB: The rich rule over the poor, the borrower is a slave to the lender. Proverbs 22:7
GOD has His own economy. If we think about it, He's always "lending" but never asks for repayment. And He certainly doesn't charge interest. If He did either we would be His slaves, not His children.
Still, He may not expect full repayment, but He loves it when we try. He loves when we seek Him and make the effort to live the way He designed us. He loves our gratitude and that we ponder His generosity in our praise and worship and how we live.
What about us "borrowers" who live in this world of too-easy credit and retailers adept at convincing us we can't live without their wares?
As a borrower, someone who doesn't have the means to purchase something outright, we should be prudent before we ever vow to pay.
Do we really need this thing? Can we afford the payments, really? When we've finished repayment, will this thing still have years of value? And, most important, have we sought the LORD for His counsel?
Our responsibility is to fulfill our vow.
Today, nearly $5 million in student loans are in default, up over the previous year. What does this say about us?
As a lender, someone who has the means to help someone purchase/pay, we should also be prudent. Unless we represent a bank and their money, our approach is different than we might think.
A number of years ago, a friend borrowed money with the promise they would repay. It wasn't a great sum, but it was enough we had to take it from our savings. Long story short, they didn't repay one penny.
We saw this person nearly every day. Over the months our disappointment turned into anger.
Finally, for our spiritual wellbeing, we had to forgive the debt--and the debtor. They were grateful, and we learned a valuable lesson. Don't lend unless we can't do without the repayment.
The Bible is funny about the responsibilities of lenders. We aren't to charge interest, and we must forgive the debt and debtor if they aren't able to pay. (Exodus 22:25-27; Leviticus 25:35-37; Deuteronomy 15:8-10; 23:19-20; Psalm 112:5; Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 5:42; Luke 6:35)
That's why I like GOD's economy. He "lends" to us without expectation of repayment, because we can't. However, He loves when we attempt to, and knows when we do, we are better for it.
So, when hubby and I are in these situations today, we only "lend" what we can afford, with the hope the borrower will do the right thing and repay. Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don't. If they don't, we forgive and leave them to GOD's justice. It's His stuff anyway.
May we have wisdom and integrity about lending and borrowing, my friends.
Proverbs 22:7, Tree of Life Bible Society, Tree of Life Version - TLV #tlvbible #tlvproverbs
[WATCH MONDAY through FRIDAY LIVE at 8:30EST, Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie, Author dig a little deeper with the book of Proverbs. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]
Comments
Post a Comment