As a banker, several customers wanted me to loan money to their friends. Originally, I made some of those loans… provided that my original customer guaranteed the debt.
Many borrowers defaulted, requiring me to collect the loans from unhappy customers. Eventually, I refused these kinds of loans. They were too risky for our customer and for the bank.
Proverbs 6 teaches, “My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you have been trapped by what you said.”
The author continued, “Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.”
If you desire true freedom, avoid guaranteeing other people’s debts. It can save you heartache and money!
