What does God say about co-signing?
Asked by: Emmanuel McGlynn | Last update: February 16, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (55 votes)
The Bible strongly advises against cosigning loans, especially for strangers, highlighting it as unwise and risky in Proverbs, warning you become legally trapped and could lose everything, even your bed. Key verses (Proverbs 6:1-5, 11:15, 17:18, 22:26-27) urge you to free yourself if you do, suggesting instead direct, non-loan help like a gift if you want to assist, rather than becoming surety for another's debt.
What does the Bible say about co-signing?
My son, if you cosign a loan for an acquaintance and guarantee his debt, you'll be sorry that you ever did it! You'll be trapped by your promise and legally bound by the agreement.
Does the Bible say one lacking in sense cosigns for another?
Proverbs 17:18 Amplified Bible (AMP)
A man lacking common sense gives a pledge And becomes guarantor [for the debt of another] in the presence of his neighbor.
Is cosigning a sin?
Is It Always Sinful to Cosign or to Lend Money to Family and Friends? While Scripture warns that making oneself liable for someone else's debt is extremely risky and usually very unwise, it is not necessarily sinful.
Is it okay to be a cosigner?
Acting as a co-signer can have serious financial consequences. First, co-signers assume legal responsibility for a debt. So, if the primary borrower is unable to pay as agreed, the co-signer may have to pay the full amount of what's owed. Second, a co-signed loan will appear on the co-signer's credit reports.
What does the Bible say about cosigning?
What does the Bible say about two being in agreement?
"Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them" (Matthew 18:19-20).
Why did Jesus hate money lenders?
A common interpretation is that Jesus was reacting to the practice of money changers routinely cheating the people, but Marvin L. Krier Mich says that a good deal of money was stored at the temple, where it could be loaned by the wealthy to the poor who were in danger of losing their land to debt.
What is the #1 worst sin?
There's no single #1 worst sin; it depends on the religious or moral framework, but pride is often called the root of all evil (Christianity/Islam), while the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (unforgivable sin) is considered the gravest in the Bible. Other severe sins include child abuse (Catholicism) and sins that "cry to Heaven" (like shedding innocent blood or oppressing the poor).
What are the dangers of cosigning?
Lenders will consider the loan you cosigned as your obligation. You could lose any property you offer to secure the loan. If you offer to use your car, furniture, or jewelry to secure the loan and the borrower defaults, you could lose your property. Your credit will be at risk.
What does Proverbs 22:7 really mean?
Proverbs 22:7 means that financial dependency creates a power imbalance, stating, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender," emphasizing that debt puts you under the lender's control and limits your freedom, a principle often applied to encourage living within means and avoiding unnecessary debt for financial independence. It highlights how money grants power and that being indebted makes one subservient, a timeless warning against reckless borrowing.
What does luke 14 33 really mean?
Luke 14:33 means that being a disciple of Jesus requires total commitment, prioritizing Him above all possessions, ambitions, and even loved ones, demanding a willingness to surrender everything to God's will and purposes, not necessarily literally giving everything away but loosening our grip and making Him the ultimate focus. Jesus uses this strong language to challenge followers to "count the cost," ensuring their dedication is absolute, like a builder or king calculating expenses before committing to a massive project or war.
What does Proverbs 19:17 say?
Proverbs 19:17 means that showing kindness and generosity to the poor is like lending to God, and He promises to repay the giver for their good deed, not necessarily with money, but with blessings, favor, or spiritual rewards, because helping the needy reflects God's own compassion and character. It encourages active compassion, seeing acts of charity as investments in a divine economy where God honors those who care for the marginalized.
Is it a sin for boyfriend and girlfriend to live together?
While the Bible condemns cohabitation as a sin, many young couples are living together before marriage for one reason or another. How can Christians talk to friends or family members who are making this decision?
What does colossians 3:23 really mean?
Colossians 3:23 means Christians should do all tasks wholeheartedly, with enthusiasm and integrity, as if serving God directly, not just human bosses, because Christ is their ultimate master and rewarder. This shifts motivation from seeking human approval to glorifying God in every aspect of life, from mundane chores to major work, treating everything as an act of devotion.
What is Proverbs 14:23 saying?
Proverbs 14:23 emphasizes that hard work leads to profit, while empty talk results in poverty, contrasting diligent action with mere words to highlight that tangible effort brings success, whereas just talking about goals leads to nothing but lack. This verse encourages focusing on productive endeavors, using time wisely, and putting effort into achieving goals, as "talk is cheap" but action creates value and brings abundance, unlike idle chatter that wastes time and leads to poverty or spiritual emptiness.
What are the 7 sins that God hates verse?
Proverbs 6:16-19 New Living Translation (NLT)
There are six things the LORD hates— no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.
What sin is unforgivable in the Bible?
The unforgivable sin in the Bible is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, described by Jesus in Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:29, and Luke 12:10 as the one sin that will not be forgiven, either in this age or the next, because it involves the willful and persistent rejection of the Holy Spirit's work of drawing people to God's saving grace in Christ. It's not a single impulsive act but a hardened, defiant resistance to the Spirit's conviction, essentially refusing God's only means of pardon, say Denison Forum, King's Hill Church, and GotQuestions.org.
What is the #1 sin in Christianity?
The unpardonable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Blasphemy includes ridicule and attributing the works of the Holy Spirit to the devil.
Is borrowing money a sin in Christianity?
Borrowing money seems like a fact of life in our culture, unavoidable. The Bible does not prohibit borrowing. However, it has strong words of caution. “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7).
What does Matthew 22:37 really mean?
Matthew 22:37 means that the greatest commandment is to love God with your entire being—your emotions (heart), spiritual life (soul), and intellect (mind)—calling for a total, undivided devotion, stemming from Deuteronomy 6:5. This isn't just feeling good, but a choice and action to prioritize God in every aspect of life, reflecting the core of faith as summarized by Jesus.
What does John 16-33 really mean?
John 16:33 means Jesus warns his followers they'll face trouble ("tribulation") in the world but encourages them to "take heart" (be courageous) because He has already overcome the world's challenges (sin, death, evil), offering His peace and victory to believers through His upcoming crucifixion, resurrection, and the indwelling Holy Spirit, assuring them they aren't alone in their struggles.
What does Proverbs 23:7 really mean?
Proverbs 23:7, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he," primarily warns against the insincere generosity of a miser, meaning a stingy host invites you to eat but begrudgingly calculates the cost, so you shouldn't desire their food because their heart isn't truly giving, leading to a sour experience. While often interpreted as "you are what you think," the original context highlights that inner calculation (stinginess) defines the person, not just general thought, cautioning against being fooled by appearances and associating with hypocrites.
What does Isaiah 43-19 really mean?
Isaiah 43:19 means God promises to bring new hope and provision in seemingly impossible situations, making a way through wilderness and rivers in the desert, urging people to look past past troubles and recognize His transformative work that's already beginning. It's a message of restoration, a call to spiritual awareness, and a promise of God's unfailing ability to create new paths and bring life where there appears to be none.
Can two people walk together without agreeing?
Unless they meet together, and appoint time and place, when and where they shall set out, what road they will take, and whither they will go; without such consultation and agreement, it cannot be thought they should walk together; and not amicably, unless united in friendship, and are of the same affection to each ...