A Word to Irresponsible Borrowers

A Word to Irresponsible Borrowers

There are always difficult situations in the church that are in conflict with the laws of the Spirit of life. The holy commandments are far-reaching—they pertain to everything we do. In our day, sleep, rather than watchfulness, rules. Money in particular is a source of difficulties. People borrow money carelessly, and they spend it carelessly; they even gladly lend to others what they themselves have borrowed. They seem to think the day of reckoning is a long way off. However, those who want to live the inner life, the hidden life with Christ in God, will discover that the day of reckoning is very near, for God’s judgments always rest over His house.

How can a person be a steward of God’s mysteries if he is not able to manage a few hundred crowns—something that even ungodly people can handle? Sirach exhorts us not to be a guarantor (cosigner) beyond our means for our neighbor. If someone is hungry and thirsty, give him food and drink, but you are under no obligation to lend or give away what you yourself do not possess. If you borrow in order to lend to others, you put the lender in a difficult position if something goes wrong.

There are many people who are ready to borrow from anyone in the church who appears to have some extra money. Instead of asking God for help, they go to that person. Perhaps he is a beginner on the inner ways. That is even more reason to treat him with care. However, these borrowers are so occupied with themselves and their own money matters that they show no consideration. This calls for wisdom. The day is coming when you will have to repay the money you have borrowed. If you have promised something, be quick to fulfill it so that you can keep the laws in God’s kingdom exactly. Godliness is not a means of gain. The brothers are in no way obliged to satisfy your every financial demand. They walk in liberty; they are completely free regarding how they manage the resources God has entrusted to them. If someone has received earthly riches, these riches are a gift from God over which he must be a steward. He cannot give that responsibility to others. By managing his pound rightly, he will receive a reward; but if he gives it away to covetous people who have not learned to be faithful stewards over what has been entrusted to them, he will only reap vexation.

It is a different matter, however, if a person who has goods in this world sees his brother in need and then shuts his heart to him. But usually people are quick to borrow. They don’t wait for others to see that they are in need. That is a mistake. People make demands and say something like this: “You’re a Christian, so you’re supposed to help me.” That is not the commandment of Christ. It is a commandment of man, because Christ’s commandments always come from within, from the root, and not from the top of the tree. It is blessed to help people, and it is more blessed to give than to receive; but at the same time it must also be said that it takes wisdom to give. The rich and generous have plenty of flatterers following at their heels, but the righteous man is reticent, and he would rather keep his distance and suffer need. Therefore, if you want to do good, use discretion. Do good in a way that will give you joy.

We need to differentiate between gifts and alms. We should always give the latter generously, for it is a part of righteousness not to turn away from him who entreats you for life’s bare essentials.