There's a guy who I helped out immensely, at some significant financial cost to myself. He's been promising to pay me back for months, but hasn't even been able to offer a small portion of the repayment. Mostly, he just makes excuses over and over again. They get more and more ridiculous. It's embarrassing for him, and and it's annoying for me because I'm losing my respect for him.
I can't forgive it because it wouldn't prove anything. It would only be a depiction of weakness on my part (plus it's a lot of money that I kinda need now), so what do I do? What does the Bible say I should do? What would Jesus do?
Personally, I don't do business with friends. If they need money, and I feel lead to do so, I just give it to them. I've been through your very perdicament too many times. Nowadays, I give it freely, without debt; that way I don't expect anything in return.
Deuteronomy says to forgive debts after 7 years.
Matthew 18 says:
" 23�For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24�When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25�But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. 26�So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, �Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.� 27�And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. 28�But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, �Pay back what you owe.� 29�So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, �Have patience with me and I will repay you.� 30�But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. 31�So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. 32�Then summoning him, his lord said to him, �You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33�Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?� 34�And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. 35�My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.�
I hope this helps! :) Perhaps if you forgive your friend of his debt, God will reward you in return. :)
Tiny, this is what God has to say?... when you lend money or anything to others.
.Luke 7:40 Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." He said, "Teacher, say on."
7:41 "A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
7:42 When they couldn't pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?"
7:43 Simon answered, "He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most." He said to him, "You have judged correctly."
Also, In Luke chapter 6
27 �But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.
30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 �If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.
33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.
34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.
35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
... Hope this helps, just offer it up to God as a free will offering, and when you least expecting it God will repay you even the more...
:ROFL: Tiny you asked for counsel, and Giry-girl and I both gave you what God had to say about the debt, so what you need to pray about is for God to help you to forgie the debt and forget it... which just might take you 7 years if you feel a need to pray about forgiving the debt after reading what God said you should do... I mean, you you are talking about doing the right thing with all your Christian loooooove...lol...
Plus You have havne't missed that money, how can you miss something you don't have and never had? ...let it go, you can always find more to go to the movies, I'll send you 10.00 for the movies...:laugh:
The Bible also teaches us that the borrower becomes the slave of the lender and also tells us that if we loan money to a brother we should not charge interest. While it's true that Jesus told parables regarding the forgiving of debt He also gave examples of the need to resolve our disputes even on the way to court so that we don't have to face the judgement of the government on the matter.
My advice is to take legal action against him. Forgive the sin he has committed but the Bible also tells us to use the laws of our country for our benefit. You will have to prove that your friend agreed to a loan or loans in order to recoup anything in court. If you don't have the proof then you are likely at your friends mercy.
Thunder where in the Bible does it teach that we are to take a person to court. I owuld like to see that passages.The only passage I know is where Paul tells us to allow the wrong and to ley purselves be frauded... in such a case. or am I also misunderstanding this passage as well based on your understanding and what you suggest...just askin
So waht does he do take him to court based on your suggestion or obey God and forgive the debt and keep it moving? If he takes him to court how is he forgiving the debt sin?... again, just askin
A preacher once preached about don't let anyone borrow anything that you expect to get back and you won't be hurt and I think that is good advice!! I've done similar things but, you have to let go of it!! Nothing is worth hardening your heart and becoming bitter over...I have finally learned this!! I hope this helps you.
I know this is a tough thing to deal with and you will be given much conflicting advice. I do not think a answer on what to do is as important as what kind of attitude to have about this. Therefore here is my answer:
What do you have that ultimately did not come from God? Are we not called to be good stewards of what we have been given? So what are you going to do with this extremely valuble soul/person God has placed in your life? Oh, --- the money?...It is only a tool, God is not concerned about it, He can get more at anytime!
*If you focus on your rights; you dull yourself spiritually
