By Very Rev Nathaniel Garang Aduotdit
If someone promises to pay the debt of a stranger, get a coat or something from him to keep until the debt is paid.
One of the greatest Gifts God has given all His children is the gift of limits. It’s because, man is not God, who is all-sufficient! It’s the reason why we have the day and night; after working the whole day, God designed that man should lie down and rest. Sometimes people find it difficult to simply say no to an engagement, a fundraising, a journey, or a program! etc. As a result, you find someone is so pressured that they are so pressed to their limits!
It’s not a sin not to have. It’s not a sin to say am sorry I won’t be able to come or am unable to help you know, perhaps God willing in Future! Giving and receiving a no for an answer is a thing of emotional maturity and the understanding that this is God’s gift to His children. No human being is United Nations! However, it takes maturity and understanding to receive a no for an answer and not get offended; why? Because, officially your responsibility is not in the hands of people, but God. Psalmist expresses God’s disappointment in this area and says, “How long, O you sons of men, Will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood? “Psalmist asks this question because the people of God don’t like to depend on their God, so when someone then tells them NO am unable to help you or stand with you, they simply start to play like an orphan!! He continues in verse six and says “There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?”…..(Psalms 4:2, 6) .NKJV.
So, “No” or the gift of limit is not an off tune, or a sign of someone hating you or misfortune; it’s only that they are not meant or assigned to you for that purpose and that time!!
Similarly, standing as a guarantor for people’s debt is one of the worst social immaturities of my generation! Countless numbers of well-meaning sons and daughters have helplessly seen their property swept clean and repossessed, not because they have picked a loan, but because of standing for an unfaithful friend!! Of course, as you need to know, helping someone who is morally bankrupt, is to simply transfer the whole of the weight of their trouble on you and your family. (Proverbs 25:19) NKJV says, “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.”
It’s, of course, good to stand with people when they are going through a challenge. However, you who is standing with them must make sure that you are strong enough to stand!!
In conclusion, the wisdom am sharing here is this, appreciate God’s gift of limit, let not pride or people’s pressures pull you into the abyss with them, but rather weigh your decisions well before someone (stranger) dictates a decision for you!
God bless you.
Very Rev. Nathaniel Garang Aduotdit, opinion writer on biblical reality articles