Proverbs 6:4
|
Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
|
Suretyship, guaranteeing or co-signing obligations of others, can be a trap (6:1-5). If you have foolishly made such commitments, use all means and speed to get out of them today. For in all matters of wisdom and righteousness, today, now, is the time to obey!
The pride of life tempts men to pretend they are more financially successful than they truly are. They will impulsively agree to guarantee or co-sign loans or obligations of their friends to get a deal done and appear economically important. In accounting and business terminology, this careless action is called mismanagement of contingent liabilities.
Since we have easy access to cheap insurance for any asset or activity, and since we live with greater risk of injury (autos for example), super high medical costs, and an epidemic of lawsuits, we also violate this proverb by neglecting prudent insurance, especially liability insurance. God's wisdom here is to avoid unnecessary exposure to loss.
Solomon warned often about this error, for it can trap you. If creditors come, you may not be able to pay (22:26-27). You exposed your family to unnecessary risk. Not all cosigning is wrong, but it must be done very prudently. See the comments on 6:1.
How important is this warning? If you are involved in suretyship or other exposure to loss, do everything you can to protect yourself this very day! Do not delay! How do you know that adversity will not strike today? Get out of the trap quickly! Immediately!
Reader, have you promised to keep others' obligations, if they don't? Have you co-signed any loans? Is your personal insurance up to date? Auto liability? Medical? Homeowner's liability? Is your business insurance current? Especially liability? Get covered today!
In all matters of wisdom and righteousness, it is our urgent duty to correct them immediately. David said, "I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments" (Ps 119:60). This is the holy ambition and action of every true child of God! Is it yours?
You do not know what will happen tomorrow, so do not plan on it (27:1). Felix was convicted by Paul's preaching, but postponed it to a more "convenient season," which never came (Acts 24:24-27). Agrippa said he was almost persuaded (Acts 26:27-29).
The Lord Jesus Christ will swear in wrath against those who waste the opportunity to repent (Heb 3:7-19; Rev 2:20-23). If you have any conviction at all in your life about any matter, today and now is the time to make it right! Lord, have mercy on us today.
www.letgodbetrue.com
