PROVERBS 6:1
My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast struck thy hand with a stranger,
My son, if thou art become surety for thy neighbor, If thou hast stricken thy hands for a stranger;
My son, if you have become surety (guaranteed a debt or obligation) for your neighbor, If you have given your pledge for [the debt of] a stranger or another [outside your family],
Typing in “Life Lessons” in my bible app resulted in a view into Proverbs 6. The title of that proverb is Practical Warnings. The title was added by the editors of the ESV, so the assumption is that this Proverb contains some practical advice.
In modern terms would we cosign a loan for a stranger?
Genesis 4:9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”
OK, bad example but if you are not willing to secure family, why secure a stranger?
This is old school advice. We find new advice in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10.
34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
How can we resolve the differences between the two forms of advice?
In the Proverb the neighbor wanted a loan they were not qualified to get on their own. In Luke 10 the neighbor had been wronged.
Proverbs 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.
Sage advice.