Proverbs – Lesson 19 6.1-11 (September 9, 2026)

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PROVERBS

God’s Handbook for His Image Bearers

Wednesday Bible Study  •  Lesson 19  •  September 9, 2026

FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS AND WORK ETHIC

Proverbs 6:1–11

God expects His image bearers to help people in genuine need, make financial promises they can faithfully keep, and work to meet their own responsibilities.

 

REVIEW AND INTRODUCTION

 

In Proverbs 4, Solomon told his son to guard his heart and ponder the path of his feet. Before making a choice, he should consider where it may lead and how that choice affects his character. Proverbs 5 continued that warning, but specifically addressed sexual choices. Proverbs 6:1-11 applies it to finances and work ethics.

Poor financial choices can destroy what a person has spent years building. A person may lose his home, savings, and financial freedom by making a promise he cannot fulfill. They also may come to poverty by refusing to work and continually expecting someone else to provide for them.

Proverbs 6:1–11 also brings up a subject Christians often struggle to work through. What are our obligations to help someone financially?

A wise person knows when to remove emotions from the decision. Not every situation is equal. Financial needs arise for many different reasons, and evaluating the character of the person in need, as well as the reason for their need is wise.

A person may need help because he has been injured or lost his job. Another may be in trouble because he refuses to work, spends carelessly, or expects his family to rescue him from every poor decision. Both may ask for assistance, but they do not need the same kind of help.

God calls us to be compassionate, generous, faithful to our promises, and responsible for our work.

 

WARNING AGAINST CO-SIGNING A LOAN  —  PROVERBS 6:1–5

 

Proverbs 6:1–5 1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, 2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. 3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. 4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. 5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

 

The word “surety” describes a responsibility similar to cosigning today. A man wants to borrow money, but the creditor will not lend it to him without another person guaranteeing payment. The borrower receives the money and is expected to repay it. If he fails to pay, the cosigner becomes legally responsible for the unpaid debt.

“Striking hands” was the act that confirmed the agreement, much as signing a contract does today. The cosigner did not receive the money or control how it was used, but his own promise made him responsible if the borrower failed to pay.

That promise could cost far more in the ancient world than a damaged credit score. If the debt could not be paid, the creditor could seize personal property or land. A person could also be placed in debtors’ prison and be required to work off the debt. Solomon calls the agreement a snare because the cosigner has put his personal financial security at risk based upon another person’s character and ability to pay.

The cosigner cannot control the circumstances or choices, but the creditor can still require him to pay.

This is why we must think beyond the moment when someone asks for help. The request may come from a person we love, and the need may be real. Our first response may be, “Of course I will help you.” Solomon teaches us to consider what we are actually promising before we give our word.

 

WHY WOULD WE COSIGN?

 

Most people cosign a loan because they want to help someone they care about. A family member or friend may want to help someone who has not established credit. Love and compassion are main reasons people consider helping someone financially.

Other pressures can also affect the decision. We may feel guilty because the person says we are his only hope. We may fear that refusing will damage the relationship. Family members may accuse us of being selfish. The borrower may ask for “only a signature” while avoiding questions about his income, spending, or previous debts.

Emotions tell us that the person needs us to help them. A wise person makes the decision from the facts and God’s instruction. He considers why the person needs help, whether the borrower has shown that he keeps his word, whether he has the income to make the payments, and whether the proposed purchase is necessary and affordable.

We should also consider why the lender requires a cosigner. The lender has examined the borrower’s income and credit record and will not accept the risk without someone else who can be required to pay. They also know if the person has a suitable credit history. A wise person should learn the facts instead of allowing emotions such as guilt or pressure to make the decision.

The most important financial question is simple: If the borrower pays nothing, can I pay the entire debt? That question replaces “Do I think he will pay?” with “Am I prepared to pay?”

Modern contracts may make the cosigner responsible for interest, late fees, and collection costs. Missed payments may damage his credit or allow the lender to collect from his wages or bank account. Because agreements differ, a wise person learns what the lender can require before signing.

The Federal Reserve reported in 2026 that only 55 percent of American adults had savings sufficient to cover three months of expenses. Many households are already one job loss, illness, or major repair away from financial trouble. A person who cannot carry his own household through an emergency cannot safely add a debt that belongs to someone else.

God requires us to consider the people who already depend upon us.

 

1 Timothy 5:8 8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

 

If making another person’s payment would jeopardize our own family, it is an unwise step. A wise person considers everyone affected by the decision.

 

A WISE PERSON HELPS THE POOR

 

Solomon’s warning does not dismiss our responsibility when someone is in genuine need. God told Israel how to respond to a poor person living among them.

 

Deuteronomy 15:7–8 7 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: 8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.

 

God told His people to help the poor. We may decide not to cosign the loan, but we can help in another way.

Taking financial responsibility for another person is not always foolish. At times it is an act of love and ministry that reflects the kindness of God. Jesus illustrated this in the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Samaritan treated the injured man’s wounds, carried him to an inn, and accepted responsibility for the cost of his care.

 

Luke 10:35 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

 

The Samaritan accepted financial responsibility for someone who was unable to care for himself.

Paul made a similar promise when he sent Onesimus back to Philemon. Onesimus had wronged Philemon, and Paul wrote:

 

Philemon 18–19 18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it.

 

Paul was willing to take the loss himself to help Onesimus. The Good Samaritan and Paul show that accepting a financial obligation for someone else can be a loving and wise choice.

The difference lies in whether we understand the responsibility and are prepared to accept it. The Good Samaritan used what he had to meet a helpless man’s need. Paul knowingly offered to pay a specific obligation for a runaway slave. Cosigning becomes foolish when we allow emotions to lead us, or we put our own finances at risk.

If we decide to cosign after considering the facts, we should do it knowing that the payments may become ours. If we cannot accept that result without anger, blame, or financial ruin, we should not make the promise. We may still find another way to help.

 

ESCAPING A FOOLISH PROMISE

 

Solomon next tells his son what to do if he has already made a reckless guarantee: “Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself.” He should humble himself, speak to the people involved, and urgently seek release from the agreement. Solomon compares his escape to a deer fleeing a hunter and a bird escaping a trap. Delay allows the danger to remain.

That instruction does not mean that every person who has cosigned should seek to get out of it. A modern cosigner remains responsible unless the lender releases him or the debt is paid or refinanced. A person who discovers that his promise has placed him in danger should learn what he promised, speak honestly with the borrower and lender, and pursue every lawful way to reduce the danger. If he cannot be released, he must prepare to fulfill the obligation he accepted.

In verse 4, Solomon tells the cosigner:

“Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.”

He must act quickly to deal with the financial danger. Solomon now uses sleep to introduce a different problem. The cosigner must not delay taking action, but the sluggard keeps delaying the work he needs to do.

 

Proverbs 6:6–11 6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

 

Solomon tells the sluggard to learn from the ant’s work ethic. The ant does not need someone to force it to work. It gathers food in ahead of time, and is prepared for the winter.

The sluggard keeps putting off work. Each time there is work to do, he wants “a little sleep” first. While he delays, the work remains undone and the needs continue. Eventually, he has nothing because he has not worked.

Solomon’s warning first speaks to our own work ethic. A wise person takes responsibility for his work. He completes what needs to be done, provides for his needs, meets his responsibilities, and prepares for future needs.

This also helps us decide how to respond when someone asks for help. A person who cannot work needs a different response from a person who can work but refuses. The Bible commands us to care for people who cannot provide for themselves. It also says:

Paul addressed this problem in the church at Thessalonica. Some people in the church had stopped working and were depending upon others to feed them.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:10–13 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

 

Paul said, “if any would not work.” These people were able to work but chose not to. The church was not to keep feeding them while they refused to work. Paul told them to return to work and provide their own food.

Verse 13 reminds the church that correcting these people should not make them stop caring for others who genuinely needed help.

We must learn why a person needs help before deciding what help to give. Illness, disability, job loss, or caring for a family member can leave a hardworking person broke. Refusing to keep a job, wasting money, and expecting other people to pay the bills create a different problem. A wise person learns the facts and gives the kind of help the person actually needs.

 

HELPING AS GOD’S IMAGE BEARERS

 

God’s character holds both sides of this lesson together. God is compassionate toward people who cannot rescue themselves. He is also faithful in every promise and righteous in everything He does. When we image Him, we do not close our hearts to people in need, make promises we cannot keep, or expect others to carry responsibilities He has given us.

Jesus shows God’s compassion and faithfulness more fully than any financial example can. We owed a debt created by our sin that we could never pay. Jesus knew the full cost before He came. First Peter 2:24 says that He “bare our sins in his own body on the tree.” He paid the penalty we could not pay and gave Himself to save us.

We will never repeat what Christ accomplished as our substitute, but His sacrifice shows us the character we are called to reflect. Godly love sees the person and the need. It learns the facts, considers the cost, protects the responsibilities God has already given, and faithfully provides the help it has promised.

Proverbs 6:1–11 therefore gives us more than a rule about cosigning or a warning against sleeping too late. It teaches us how responsible love behaves. A wise person may give, lend, cosign, offer practical help, or refuse a request that would support continued irresponsibility. He makes that decision from the facts and God’s instruction rather than guilt, pressure, or manipulation.

Before accepting another person’s financial obligation, consider where the promise may lead and whether you are prepared to pay it. Before asking others to carry your needs, consider whether God has given you the ability and responsibility to work. Then help in a way that reflects God’s compassion without abandoning the faithfulness, truth, and responsibility that also belong to His character.