My dear readers,

Proverbs 11:15 “He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.”

He that is surety or a guarantor is “one who has become legally liable for the debt, default, or failure in duty of another.” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

The Bible is not against being a surety to someone we know. For example, a parent becomes a surety for his child when the child is in trouble with the law, or goes overseas for studies with the promise to return for national service. It could be a friend putting his freedom, life, or a large sum of money as a surety if his bosom buddy does not keep his word to fulfil a particular task. Being a “surety” is based on the trust one has in the other person’s promise. Once a surety is made, the guarantor has put his life in the hands of another. A parent who has put up his life savings as a surety for his son’s permission to go overseas, with the promise of return for National Service, can have his life savings confiscated if his son refuses to return for national service. Whatever the price of the surety is will be borne by the guarantor if the party for whom he is a guarantor decides to betray him.

But when the guarantor is a surety to a stranger, even in the Promised Land, he puts himself and his entire life at risk. His whole life and witness, and that of all his dependents, will be in the hands of a stranger! God’s counsel and clear warning are never to do that.

For the Christian, the holy name of Christ is also on the line besides the guarantor’s name, possession, life and freedom. Jesus Christ saved believers so that they can remain on earth and serve and be witnesses on His behalf. They belong to Christ and to God, who redeemed them with the blood of Christ. They are God’s “property” as God's children. They have no right to put their lives and Christ’s Name that they bear into the hands of a stranger.

Proverbs 11:15 presents two compelling reasons why a believer must never serve as a guarantor for a stranger.

The literal translation, “He will certainly experience evil when he takes a pledge for a stranger, but the one who hates clapping hands together hastens to refuge.”

• Evil will certainly fall on the guarantor – The stranger’s foremost priority in life will be to save his own skin. Being a stranger, he has no relationship with the guarantor. His aim is to deceive the guarantor into being his guarantor. He will not have to pay for whatever wrong and sinful deeds he does. The guarantor has promised to pay for all his mistakes and sins. The stranger is a sinner like everyone else. When a parent is a guarantor for his son, he trusts that the father-son relationship is strong enough to safeguard the son’s promise and that his son would never betray his trust.

However, the stranger has no ties to his guarantor. There is no reason at all for him to save the guarantor's skin; when push comes to shove, the stranger will definitely push the guarantor over the cliff. Personal interests and the survival of self are the hallmarks of every sinner, even in the case of many professing believers.

During the lifetime when the surety is in force, the guarantor’s life and witness are at the stranger’s disposal. The guarantor has to pay whatever penalty the stranger would have to pay for default. The stranger will sleep in peace, but the guarantor will be worried sick, knowing that his life is in the stranger's hands. There is no way he can get out of the surety, unless the stranger agrees to render the surety null and void or pay the debt he owes.

The life of the guarantor is handed over to the stranger’s control. For the believer, it includes Christ’ holy Name that he bears. Now the stranger can ruin the holy witness of Christ. The guarantor’s many years of building a godly witness for Christ may come crashing down if the stranger decides to betray the guarantor and abscond. The stranger’s troubles become the guarantor’s troubles. The guarantor’s troubles become Christ’s troubles!

Never be a guarantor for any stranger, including those you meet in the church. The devil has planted angels or lights like himself inside churches to deceive naïve and gullible believers. Many are actually wolves in sheep’s clothing masquerading as believers waiting for the right time to pounce on any unwise victims. Remember that Christ’s name is also at risk whenever a believer decides to become a guarantor for a stranger.

• Safety will certainly be with one who refuses to be a guarantor – When the believer is totally and thoroughly averse to becoming a guarantor, God says he is very safe. The literal translation of verse 15b is: “but the one who hates clapping hands together hastens to refuge.” People in Old Testament times concluded covenants by eating a meal together. “the one who hates clapping hands” refers to one who hates the beginning of becoming a guarantor. It is like shaking hands. The wise believer will not extend this friendly gesture to a stranger who seeks to make him his guarantor. Whenever the stranger brings up the subject of surety, the wise believer will avoid the subject or say no to it adamantly. He knows that these strangers who hunt for their prey can be very convincing, with words full of flattery and tongues smoother than oil. Those who are snared by them will certainly be harmed. They might tell sob stories to break down every wall of resistance. They appeal to the believer’s pity and merciful compassion, and when the heart begins to rule the head, the stranger will reign over his prey, and the guarantor is snared.

But when the guarantor stays far away from ever becoming a guarantor to a stranger, he is guaranteed safety. His life, possessions and witness for Christ are secure like one who runs speedily to a place of refuge. His destiny is in his own hands and not a stranger’s. Becoming a guarantor can be as simple as recommending someone for a job, and giving your word that the person you recommend is diligent and trustworthy. However, when he gets the job, he is lazy and cantankerous, and he hurts the company; he could very well sully your name and holy witness for Christ.

Be wise in becoming a guarantor.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service

Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew, Pastor