Surety or Not?

Tonight we studied Proverbs 11.

Verse 15 talked about not being a surety for a stranger. Read it for yourself:

Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
Proverbs 11:15 (ESV)

Then the question was asked, “What about co-signing for a family member?” Our fearless leader went on to read Proverbs 6:1-3 to us:

1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger,
2 if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth,
3 then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor.
Proverbs 6:1-3 (ESV)

And I think the point was that it’s better not to co-sign for anyone, anytime. What do you think? Should we co-sign for friends or relatives or is Proverbs telling us that this is an unwise thing to do?

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