“A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge and becomes surety for his friend…He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, but one who hates being surety is secure” (Proverbs 17:18; 11:15).
It’s a sure thing.
In a world bathed in financial uncertainty, here is one sure thing: Being the loan co-signer for someone whose management of his own finances requires your signature as collateral is a sure way to lose your money and strain—if not permanently damage—your relationship.
Only a person devoid of wisdom and insight is willing to invest in this sure thing. It is a quick and easy path to financial insecurity and possible ruin.
Therefore, “if you become surety for your friend, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth. So do this, my son, and deliver yourself, for you have come into the hand of your friend: Go and humble yourself; plead with your friend. Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler” (Prov. 6:1-5).
