You cannot fix the problem...if you only deal with the symptoms!

Probing Proverbs 11:15 There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt; it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt.

There is most likely no greater issue that more people deal with than financial difficulties. It makes no matter our background, the vast majority of people experience difficult times financially at one time or another. This Proverb deals with a very specific difficulty concerning finances. Let’s look at the problem debt brings in all it’s aspects.

The issue this Proverb speaks to is when you guarantee someone’s debt. This can be very dangerous because your name is on the line. Especially today, with the credit situation, many think it is nothing to walk away from their debt. They are not concerned with their “name”, their “word” or their "integrity." They just don’t want the inconvenience of having to pay for what they wanted at that moment, even though they could not afford it. Even if you know the person intimately and you trust them, you can be hurt by this. 

I know quite a few parents that have signed for loans for their children, whether school, cars or homes, only to have their credit rating ruined. Most due to late payments because of the lack of discipline of their children, however, some sadly, experience their children just walking away from the debt. This brings much more than a loss of a credit rating, it breaks the heart of a parent. God’s warning must be considered when deciding to guarantee someone else’s debt, even a family member. Each of us must seek what God would have us do. If you have the money and you want to help the family member, you could offer an interest free loan, that way your name is not on the line. However, I warn you, if you do this make sure you have settled with the Lord that if they do not pay it back, you count it as “given” not loaned. Jesus shared this principle:

Luke 6:35 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

If this applies to our enemies, how much more our family! The issue that needs to be dealt with here is trust. That is the real issue. If you lend and they abuse it, perhaps you should not entrust them again with another loan. I have had to make that decision, I hold no ill, I have forgiven, the money is now considered a gift, but I will not give that person another loan, because they are not trustworthy. Many will try and guilt trip you using Scripture, but if you continue to give to support their selfish lifestyle, you are condoning their sin. Here’s the rub…you have to be willing to tell them why you will not loan again. It is hard, but the Holy Spirit will enable you, and those words can be used by the Spirit to convict that person about their sinful lifestyle. I have seen this and it is amazing to see the turn around in the individual. Obviously, this does not always happen, and you may experience a break in the fellowship. I still believe that is better than you just continuing to enable someone to live in sin.

The other aspect I would like to deal with is debt through credit. This has become an epidemic, even in the Body of Christ. Many think like this sign:

A sign was seen in the window of a loan company that actually read: "Now you can borrow enough to get completely out of debt!"

Credit is not the problem; it is the symptom! The problem is a heart that is never content with what it has, a desire for more, more, more...and a culture that makes us think we can have what we want immediately, with no “down side!”  Our world has become a world of “immediate gratification” with no thought of the cost or ramifications. The legacy is individuals that focus on their desires first and foremost, which has led to rampant divorce and abortions. The Scripture warns us about an unhealthy attitude concerning money.

Hebrews 13:5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

1 Timothy 6:7–10 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

It has been my experience that one of the clearest indicators of true maturity in discipleship is a person's attitude toward money. If they "crave and seek" it, they have not grown much. However, no matter the amount, if they use it the way God intended, which includes enjoying it, they will show spiritual maturity in all areas of their life. 

This is not something that just happens, it is a heart decision toward God, to accept what you have at that moment and be content. This does not mean we cannot desire a better life, but we need to start where we are and thank God right there. Then, seek His guidance on how to grow our finances. He will lead, but it will not be through debt, it will be through investment and saving and having patience for what you desire. I have found the healthiest approach and prayer is found in the Scriptures:

Proverbs 30:8–9 First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.

When it comes to “things” Paul gives us the secret:

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Interestingly, there is one kind of debt God desires:

Romans 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Testing Time: Pull out your financial statements and look at them. Are you in debt? Why? What is the difference between a debt and an investment? If you don't know, what are you doing to educate yourself? If you could remove every debt you had right now, how would that change your life? If you were to take every item you bought with credit, and lived without it, how would that impact your life? What would happen to your joy? What does that say about your attitude toward money? How much money do you think God needs? If He is your God, should you be anxious over money?