I need some sound advice. A very close friend of mine may need a significant loan in the near future. She's quite a bit older than myself and has applied for disability. She's been denied twice, and is now only waiting for an appearance in front of a judge. It is reasonably certain that her case will be approved. Trouble is, she's quickly running out of money and will soon no longer be able to pay her bills. Knowing that I have a decent job and a bit stashed away, she has turned to me for help. I have borrowed money from her in the past; she has been more than happy to help. However, the difference being I had the means to pay her back...which I did in fact do. If I help her, and let's say that she's NOT approved for disability, she has no means in which to pay me back. I am a working, single mother that needs to watch what I do with my money so as to provide for my son, whom certainly comes first. What is the biblical teaching on lending money?
2006-08-08 01:02:26 · 4 answers · asked by manatee lover 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Does she really really need it? I say give it to her. There's a couple scriptures I have to back this up. Paul says that if someone asks us for something (food, money, etc) and we just say "God bless you..." and don't help them with their need, what good is your faith?
That is not your money. It's God's money. God put it in your care so you could be a blessing unto others.
2006-08-08 01:09:39 · answer #1 · answered by Alicia A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I give financially, I give expecting the person will not pay me back. Most of the time the people I give to say they will pay me back, but they don't.
So, If you can afford to give the money you have and NOT expect it back...then give.
If you are depending on the money to help you out for your "rough times"....then NO...don't give it.
The other option is drawing up a contract where she signs it stating that she WILL pay you back...but as you already said, it is possible that she will not have an income.
This woman needs to contact her family. The Bible teaches that family is supposed to take care of family.
1 Tim. 5:4 (NKJV)
But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.
By the way, the person above my comment suggested you give your TITHE to her. That is WRONG and sinful. That money is not for you to decide what to do with...but you are to give that to your church, God expects you to bring the FULL tithe to your church. You may give over and above the tithe if you so desire.
Does this woman go to church? This sounds like an issue that the church is supposed to help out with.
I would say
1. She needs to go to her family first.
2. She needs to go to her church if there is no family or they will not help.
If she doesn't have a church family, then you may want to help...but remember you most likely will not get your money back.
Definately do not use your tithe to help her...that is robbing God.
2006-08-08 08:26:32 · answer #2 · answered by Red-dog-luke 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have it, by all means help her out! Consider it tithe, consider it a jewel in your crown in heaven.
Help her lower her bills though (use less electricity etc)
Have her call her creditors and see if they will accept lower payments for a month or two.
Help her get a back up plan in case she's not approved....... you can't be expected to pay her bills forever - there has to be a time limit.
2006-08-08 08:23:25 · answer #3 · answered by Miss Vicki 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what i would do in such a case but here is what the Bible teaches:
Jesus said "If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. " (Luke 6:35). (read the whole chapter)
he also said:
. "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26. "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
27. "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
28. "And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,
29. yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
30. "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
31. "Do not worry then, saying, `What will we eat?' or `What will we drink?' or `What will we wear for clothing?'
32. "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34. "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (matthew 6)
2006-08-08 08:16:59 · answer #4 · answered by F.R.O.G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋