Still Waiting

As a rule you stick very close to the saying, “you don’t lend what you’re not able to give.” But this time, a family member is in desperate need of some money. They promise to pay you back when they get paid. Pay day rolls around for them and they are no where to be found. A couple of days pass by before you receive a phone call. Your family member begins to apologize for not paying you back as promised and explains that some unexpected situation has come up. You now have to wait for another pay day in hopes of getting your money back. It’s been 3 months and you’re still waiting.

Question:

Where do you draw the line? Will you lend them money again if you knew that you were their only means of help?

I once read a quote that said, 'when borrowing money, never borrow from a optimist borrow from a pessimist, they don't expect it back.' I totally agree with this comment, because if you can not lend money with your heart no matter the situation Then DON'T because to much of your hope is put into getting it back. If I can not in good conscious give it then I will not put my hope in its return.

That's an interesting quote... "borrow from pessimists rather than an optimists...." I've also heard it said that when someone owes you money, you'll never be broke. I'm sure there are many more quotes and sayings that are used to explain, describe, and justify borrowing and repayment of loans. When I loan money to friends/family, there are times I know I will not be repaid so I chalk it up as an increase in my tithes/offerings and my blessings come back tenfold.

The truth is, a loan is just that, and frankly, your family will take advantage of us more times than none. Sometimes it seems that if we would treat family the same way anyone else would treat them both of us would be better off.