He who is surety for a stranger will surely suffer for it,
But he who hates going surety is safe.
Message: Verify the one receiving gifts
Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.
What the Lord is Saying: NIV - Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.
He who is surety for a stranger or for another.
“He is in great danger to be undone, who stands bound to pay the debts of another man, especially of a stranger, whose ability and honesty are unknown to him; and the way to be secure from it, is not only to avoid such engagements one’s self, but to dislike to see other men enter into them.” Simon Patrick (1626–1707), a highly regarded 17th-century Anglican bishop, theologian, and biblical commentator.
Hmm. This evening I have been struggling with this guy begging me for money. I have been friends with this man for a while now. He credits things I did that I don't think I did. But I suppose this situation is different as it seems this verse speaks of giving to someone when you do not know how they will be using it. I have always wondered if we need to do our due diligence in making sure that our money is being used for good purposes, that we need are good and true and this verse seems to confirm that this is so.
I saw this -- The Septuagint translates differently, "A wicked man doeth evil when he mixes with the righteous; he hateth the sound of safety (η΅χον ἀσφαλείας)." Interesting that the word doeth is now speaking of here as surety in other translations. Surety is taking the responsibility of another. And odd that this verse starts with the wicked mixing with the righteous rather than the other way around. Matthew Henry says, "Our Lord Jesus Christ became a surety for us when we were strangers, and he smarted for it, he was bruised and wounded for our sins; but then he knew our circumstances, and what the consequence would be, and became a surety on purpose to pay the whole debt and set us free." He knew what he was getting into.
So we must be careful how we give. Like Jesus, once we know what the ministry is about, we have then the option to give and perhaps we need to give if it is a worthwhile situation. Maybe I need to be quicker to give when I found out areas that are in need. I have been given much and so much responsibility has been given to me to help those in need.
Looking at this verse - "I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them." (Luke 6:27–31)
Not sure if this is literal. And so I don't think we have to give to everyone who asks. We need to be able to verify that our gifts are going to a good cause. To bridge these two verses seems to be the idea from the Book of Numbers -- "Be careful" of the authority of God. God is on the throne and in charge, so I need to be careful to make sure I am obedient to all that He says. And in the process, make sure I am not being selfish. If I have the funds, I need to give.
Prayer: Lord, thank you so much for this Proverb. I have wondered about this thought for some time. I believe we are living in a time of so much need and we need to be careful as to who we are giving to therefore. And this verse confirms that I need to make sure righteousness and evil are not mixing. And so the money that I give to people needs to be for good causes. Help me with this recognition and seeing the need and therefore giving. You will provide for my needs and so I can give. Help me to be a cheerful giver again and not one that is sore about giving or doing it reluctantly. I praise you God.
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