Together in Christ: 'Avoid Money Misunderstandings!' — Proverbs 11:15

Saturday, July 8, 2023

Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.
— Proverbs 11:15 NLT

Key Thought

Money misunderstandings break up families, friends, business partners, and brothers and sisters in Christ. Not only is money the root of all kinds of evil, but putting up security or lending money to others is an invitation to a disaster. [1] Yesterday's relationship verse warned against owing anyone anything other than the debt we have to Jesus to love them. Today's proverb makes the warning about owing money explicit. If we ignore this principle, we will "surely suffer." If we choose not to get into the lending and borrowing game with others, some might misunderstand our lack of lending as a lack of concern. However, we avoid potentially untenable and unhealthy financial obligations and friendship misunderstandings. We must keep any form of financial debt and monetary finagling out of our relationships [2] with our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we help others, we help them to bless and restore them, not to make them indebted to us! [3]

[1] 1 Timothy 6:10.
[2] Proverbs 22:7.
[3] Psalm 37:21; Proverbs 3:27-28.

Today's Prayer

Father, guide my heart and give me the wisdom to know best how to help friends and need and avoid getting into financial agreements with others that place one or the other of us under any obligation other than to love each other. Father, I appreciate the example of generosity I see in the early church — a generosity offered without expectation or obligation. Please open my heart to understand how best to help my needy brothers and sisters. In Jesus' name, ask for this guidance. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Matthew 5:42; Deuteronomy 15:7
  • Proverbs 22:7, 26-27; Exodus 22:5

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, July 8, 2023

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'The Deeds of the Flesh' (Ga. 5:19-21)
"Dear Father, opposer of all that is evil, Help me to stay away from those things which are clearly works of the flesh: immorality, impurity,..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Be Glad in God's Presence' (Ps. 68:2)
"Let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God's presence. Let them be filled with joy."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Isaiah 55:8-9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Come to Him in Humility' (Ja. 4:8-10)
"Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the....."

Illustration

Illustration of Proverbs 11:15 NLT — Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Together in Christ