THE AUDITORIUM SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
MAY 13TH, 2007
DO NOT A LENDER OR BORROWER BE
Introduction: Solomon gives his son some practical advice about civil agreements.
I. Don’t become a borrower, or a lender, to friends or strangers. (1-2)
A. “if thou be surety for thy friend....” (1)
1. The word “surety” means to guarantee something, like a debt.
2. Solomon is warning about guaranteeing something for a friend.
3. Solomon is also speaking of someone guaranteeing something for you.
- We should not guarantee someone else’s debt; nor should we allow someone else to guarantee our debt.
B. “if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger.” (1)
1. This is a warning against all debt.
2. The striking of a hand is speaking of an official deal, or agreement, concerning debt.
C. What happens when you go into debt? (2)
1. Your agreement will become a “snare.”
2. The fact that you made the agreement will add to the burden of debt.
- “thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.” (2)
II. What is a wise son’s policy towards debt? (3)
A. He is to act immediately to remove the debt.
1. “Do this now, my son.....” (3)
2. Do not delay in getting yourself free from paying someone’s debt, or being free from debt yourself.
3. A time of debt is not a time for procrastination.
B. “deliver thyself.” (3)
1. Notice that Solomon continually conjures up pictures of slavery when speaking of debt.
2. You must free yourself, because it was the words of your mouth that enslaved you.
C. Go to your friend, to whom you are indebted, and do two things:
1. Make sure of his friendship.
- Make sure he knows that you have not forgotten about the debt you owe him.
2. Pay your debt and keep your friend.
III. What if you can’t pay your debt? (4)
A. There are two dirty words that answer this question: WORK and SAVE
1. “Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.” (4)
2. You should work harder to get out of debt than you did to get into debt.
B. Solomon gives the financial goal of a godly, wise son. (5)
1. The goal is to be debt-free.
- “Deliver thyself.....from he hand of the fowler.” (5)
2. A young son should be advised by his parents to avoid debt whenever possible, and to pay off debts as soon as possible.
C. Notice the symbolic terms used to describe a creditor: (5)
1. “Hunter” is a person who seeks out a victim.
2. “Fowler” is a person who traps a victim.
3. Credit agencies seek out, and trap people who need money.
- Beware of schemes that increase your debt.
Conclusion: Debt is the second most discussed topic in Proverbs, next to avoiding strange women.