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3. Consider Your Witness. Consider every decision on the basis of its effect on the work and reputation of Christ. Do not put God into a financial corner and place Him in the role of a “bailer”; I suspect God does not like to sit in the back of a leaky boat and continually have to bail us out. We are told in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” To launch out on feelings, even in doing God’s work, and then to depend on God to bail you out is not according to His plan. Christians in full-time ministry should accept this as one of the basic financial decisions for doing God’s work. If one must borrow outside of God’s people in order to do His work, beware! That is not according to His plan. “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave” (Proverbs 22:7). God will not frustrate His work for lack of money, neither will He place a Christian organization in servitude to a secular institution. This same principle applies to dealing unethically with others. As stated earlier, there are no small lies or small thefts. There are only liars and thieves. If you deal unfairly or unethically with someone, then it is your witness that will suffer. Establish that no matter the circumstance, you will tell the whole truth to the best of your ability. There is no simple way to accomplish that, for frequently, just when you are most vulnerable, an “opportunity” will arise. If you stumble, make restitution and admit your error. God will honor your commitment. 4. Give to the Needs of Others. Avoid lending to another person in need where giving is possible. Why? If someone in need approaches you for a loan, you are much better off to give. The witness and fellowship that provides is lasting while the temporary gratitude of a loan quickly fades. I recall reading an article in which the question was asked: “What is a distant relative?” The answer: “It is a close relative you loan money to.” Unfortunately, the same thing is often true with Christians. What is a distant Christian friend? It is a close Christian friend to whom you loaned money. If someone approaches you for financial help in acquiring wants or desires, then you should question whether to supply them at all. But if they are in need and on your heart, you have a responsibility from God to supply that need. 5. Never Co-sign. Co-signing means to pledge your assets against the debts of someone else. Scripture specifically forbids this whenever it speaks of “surely” or “striking of hands.” There are many references to this in Proverbs.

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