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

Money misunderstandings break up families, friends, business partners, and brothers and sisters in Christ. Not only is "the love of money the root of all kinds of evil," ^[1] but putting up security or lending money to others possibly can lead to disastrous misunderstandings. When we help someone, those possible misunderstandings can be avoided by remembering Jesus' teaching about loving and helping others without expecting a return. ^[2] Yesterday's relationship devotional warned against any ongoing debt to anyone other than the debt we have to love them. Today's proverb warns not to secure a stranger's debt. If we ignore this principle and forget Jesus' teaching about lending, ^[2] we can put ourselves in danger. If we choose not to get into the lending and borrowing game with others, we must find other ways to help those in need so our choice isn't interpreted as a lack of concern. We must avoid potentially untenable and unhealthy financial obligations that can lead to misunderstandings. We must keep these kinds of financial debts out of our relationships ^[3] with our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we help others, we do so to bless and restore them, not to make them indebted to us! ^[4]