The Smart Shouldn’t Smart

(Pro 11:15 KJV)  He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
 
This is about trust.  The idea of “surety” (6148) is a recurring theme in Proverbs.  The Updated NASB uses “guarantor” as if illiterate readers would understand that any more.  One of the common elements of when this word is used is the type of person you are not to trust.  Usually it is the “stranger” (2114a).  In every case there is an obvious reason why you should be slow to commit.

This is not about helping your son get his first car, although it could be applied that way and if your son is a sluggard it would hit right home.  This is about risking your stability on someone who does not deserve it.

So?  It is always hard for us to make calls like this.  We keep thinking about “love”.  We want to be warm and friendly.  We don’t want to judge.  Keep in mind that one of the spiritual gifts is discernment.