Convinced

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
CONVINCED
Prov 11:15
15 He who puts up security for another will surely suffer,
but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe.
NIV
I suppose it would be easy enough to consider this as just not cosigning for anyone and keeping all I have for myself and myself alone. But the word translated as another in this version is really better seen as a stranger, a foreigner, an alien. I think it is certainly a very unwise thing to partnership in any manner of trade or financial agreements with those outside the family that would be putting my resources at risk based on their efforts, now having said all that, I am certainly not opposed to charity. I have absolutely no qualms about giving to someone in need as I am directed by God, no matter if they are in the family, in the household of faith, or merely a stranger. But I do not think I should partnership with those in the world. Why would I want to strike a business deal, giving my resources for the benefit of someone outside the household of faith, who in actually, may well be serving the benefit of Satan. Not that I have so much resources to start with, but I think this is about being in partnership no matter of the amount. If I invest in the stock market, in a sense I am putting up security for the benefit of a worldly endeavor which is just a cleaver disguise of Satan. I shall not strike my hand in a pledge to benefit the devil in anyway. Sure I have to buy products made by the world’s businesses and yes that helps produce profit in their pockets. But that is not partnering with them. That is not striking hands with them. That is not investing my resources with them based on a promise for more resources in return. I have to live, and I am alright with making a purchase of products needed, but I am not alright with being in partnership with them. I will maintain this attitude no matter who tries to convince me otherwise because God has convinced me first.