A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
A man void of understanding is one who strikes hands, signing and pledging himself to become financially responsible for a friend's debt. Such striking of hands means taking upon himself another's obligation, with all its risks. It is folly and not a harmless formality, because the surety may be required to pay when the borrower fails or becomes insolvent. That payment can bring serious loss, even loss of property, harm to the signer's household, and depriving his own family of its needs.
Helping a friend or neighbor in need in this way may in some cases be right. It is not wrong to guarantee such a debt when the signer is able to pay the full amount comfortably without harming his family. The condition is willingness to give that amount outright and to bear the loss himself. Going surety is folly when the signer cannot pay so comfortably or is not so willing, since the debt may fall upon him.
Binding oneself by pledge and striking hands includes striking hands with an insurance company. The verse therefore warns against insuring life, health, or property through worldly institutions. Believers are instead to do their duty and trust God to protect what belongs to Him.
A man void of understanding is one who strikes hands, signing and pledging himself to become financially responsible for a friend's debt. Such striking of hands means taking upon himself another's obligation, with all its risks. It is folly and not a harmless formality, because the surety may be required to pay when the borrower fails or becomes insolvent. That payment can bring serious loss, even loss of property, harm to the signer's household, and depriving his own family of its needs.
Helping a friend or neighbor in need in this way may in some cases be right. It is not wrong to guarantee such a debt when the signer is able to pay the full amount comfortably without harming his family. The condition is willingness to give that amount outright and to bear the loss himself. Going surety is folly when the signer cannot pay so comfortably or is not so willing, since the debt may fall upon him.
Binding oneself by pledge and striking hands includes striking hands with an insurance company. The verse therefore warns against insuring life, health, or property through worldly institutions. Believers are instead to do their duty and trust God to protect what belongs to Him.