Suretyship

Suretyship is “the act of being legally liable for a debt — a guarantee of payment for someone else.” This matter was candidly addressed years ago in a book by the late Bro. Frank Jannaway, Weapons of our Warfare, pgs. 182-187. Along with the topics of borrowing and lending, it can be appropriately considered in the light of our present circumstances.

As we approach an unprecedented time of trouble, many of us may find ourselves feeling compassion toward those who have spent beyond their means and feel we must rescue our brethren and sisters from debt. Is it wrong for Christadelphians to become a surety or lend money to others? On the other hand, is it wrong for brethren and sisters to borrow from their brothers and sisters or from the ecclesia?

Bible warnings

The scriptures are clear about being surety for an unbeliever. “He who gives surety for a stranger will smart for it, but he who hates suretyship is secure” (Prov. 11:15 RSV). “Be not one of those who give pledges, who become surety for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?” (22:26-27).

It is easy to see why we should not lend or become a surety for the stranger. The unbeliever has not committed to being honest nor to caring about God. But what of our brethren? Are we not our brother’s keeper?

Advice of a brother

Bro. Jannaway puts the matter in straight-forward terms. “It so often happens that those who ask others to become surety for them do so with a halo of ‘sanctity’ (portraying a so-called life of holiness and character) and sentimental talk about our duty to Christ’s little ones. They are, for the time being, nonplussed (in a state of perplexity — perhaps they give the excuse that someone has not paid them a large sum of money) and, in the absence of sufficient presence of mind, mesmerically we are influenced to become surety under the idea that we are doing the right thing.”

Bro. Jannaway’s following words are so true regarding the lending brother: “It is not till God has, according to His word, made them ‘smart for it’ that they are able to realize what a sophisticated creature a lump of animated flesh can be.” He goes on to say about the borrower: “More often than not (and I am speaking from much experience) he does not apparently care a rap so long as he can get his own ends served.”

All are human

We may think that no believer would have such an attitude. We expect the world to take advantage of others, but Christ’s brethren would not act in this way!

Perhaps those who approach others to act as surety justify themselves be­cause the other has wealth, or at least more than the one seeking help. The spiritually-minded person in financial need should be very careful about his own thinking. In times of great stress, a person is capable of doing just about anything, even taking advantage of the love and kindness of a fellow brother or sister.

If a person deliberately calculates to defraud his brother, he has committed sin. As Bro. Jannaway notes: “But they may be sure there is a ‘by and by’ coming when they will also discover that the ‘avenger’ will require a reckoning on the behalf of his brethren who ‘suffer themselves to be defrauded.” Taking advantage of a righteous man’s wallet, or fraudulently preying on a man’s compassion is nothing more than a form of lying and cheating.

As Bro. Jannaway goes on to note, “How many a well-to-do man has brought life-long misery to himself and his family by reason of being talked-over by some adventurer (and of all such I know none so dangerous as the one who flaunts the name of Jesus)” Bro. Jannaway obviously felt he needed to warn the brotherhood of unscrupulous brethren.

Gift, not a loan

Bro. Robert Roberts wrote that it is a scriptural command not to be a surety. He balanced this by noting, “it is yet another command to give if you can.” The conclusion would be that we can be a surety if we are prepared to lose the entire amount for which we stand surety. But it is best to leave such arrangements alone. Suretyship has in it “roots of bitterness” separating very friends.

We are called upon to be kind, forgiving and forbearing. If we desire to help unfortunate brothers or sisters, we must do it with the understanding that it is a gift; we give up the money entirely.

It is our duty to care for the widow, fatherless and poor by giving to them. Let us give in such cases not out of necessity, but liberally. Some verses come to mind in this regard: “The wicked borrows, and cannot pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives…I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread. He is ever giving liberally and lending, and his children become a blessing” (Psa. 37:21,25-26).

A practical course

Perhaps ecclesias might consider setting a limit on support they give (if they are being besieged with requests for assistance). The weekly Bible class might consider discussion on this subject.

We need to remember that money is being mishandled by those who have not lived within their means. As a consequence they become a burden for ecclesias to solve. Furthermore, they are wasting resources that could be put to good use within the brotherhood. It is a symptom of the age in which we live and we stand to face more of the problem as time goes on.