Giving the Shirt on Your Back

(Proverbs 27:13 KJV)  Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

From whom are we to “take” (3947) the “garment” (899b)?  From the one who guaranteed the loan, not from the borrower who did not pay.  In this case the one who co-signs is considered as much a fool as the one doing the borrowing.  He is as much a fool and more accountable because he knows better. 

How many actions will we take that are foolish but we make excuses for doing it.  This summer has seen a slew of natural disasters.  Fires in California.  Hurricanes in Texas and Florida.  Earthquakes in Mexico.  As Christians our hearts respond and our pocketbooks are touched.  How many have been irresponsible enough to give their hard earned and much needed money to charities that use most of it to pay bloated salaries to executives and buy advertising to generate more income?  It is not a question of giving, it is a question of giving wisely.

So?  Don’t co-sign unless you are willing to give the shirt off your back in the process.  God might demand it.