Not Always

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

At other places we are told not to borrow or loan.  We are told to return someone’s coat at night so they can stay warm.  Here it seems to be totally different advice.  What is different?

The Bible differentiates between the deserving and the undeserving poor.  One is poor through no fault of their own.  The other has generally made of lot of bad decisions that put him in his situation.  Here we are confronting the one who has violated God’s directions and we are told to let him be cold tonight.  These two situations have people taking the resources that God has given them and turning them over to the undeserving.

So?  We are told be generous, yes.  We are also to be discerning.  We are not to be motivated by the touchy feely values of the world.  Share with those in need but not if you know they will use it for a life of dissipation and rebellion.