Proverbs 22:26
|
Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
|
Solomon warned his son against foolish financial risks. It was a common temptation, especially for a wealthy prince, to guarantee others' debts. The desire to help those in need, whether from charity or pride, could be hazardous. The wise man saw the danger of over committing capital and often warned against it (6:1-5; 11:15; 17:18; 20:16; 27:13).
Striking hands - shaking hands in our culture - sealed a deal (6:1; 17:18; Job 17:3; Ps 144:8,11). This simple gesture of financial commitment could have severe consequences. Done hastily without due thought, a man could create enough contingent liabilities and be obligated to pay off enough debts of others to wipe himself out financially (22:27)!
Are you prudent with the income and assets God has given you? A symptom of this foolish and wicked generation is the many personal and corporate bankruptcies. Wise men minimize debt, shun needless risk, avoid cosigning loans, maintain savings, invest cautiously, purchase insurance, and work diligently. They do not get in a position even close to bankruptcy, and they would never use it to cheat a single creditor of even a dime.
Consider the ways Americans strike hands and take on foolish financial risk. They flash credit cards for frivolous and discretionary spending, and then the bill arrives with a 21% interest rate attached. Many never get out of this hole. They stay afloat temporarily by using other cards to fund their living. But disaster is just ahead! Solomon warned you!
They learned it from big government and mass merchandising. Central governments have little fiscal restraint, because they believe they can create money to pay their bills. They will keep spending until the whole house of cards (their financial system) collapses. And modern advertising and purchasing convenience keep citizens spending beyond their means. The government should require warning notices on credit cards, not cigarettes!
Prudent men do not put all eggs in one basket, no matter how attractive the deal appears. They diversify their investments and sources of income. They do not enter business deals under capitalized, for they know that is one of the surest invitations for trouble. And they do not overextend themselves by building too big, buying too much, or living too high.
A wise man always asks, "What if?" And his question is not, what if this venture goes gangbusters, how will I spend my millions? His question is always, if this venture goes bust, can I still support my family and fulfill my obligations. Solomon warned against any financial choice that creates unnecessary or dangerous risk. You have been warned!
www.letgodbetrue.com
