Proverbs 6:4

If there is something you need to do to be wise, you should do it immediately. Being a surety, which is guaranteeing or co-signing obligations of others, can be a trap (Pr 6:1-5). If you foolishly made such a commitment, use all means and speed to get out of it today. In all matters of godliness, prudence, truth, and wisdom, today, now, is the time to obey.

The pride of life tempts men to think they are more financially secure than they actually are. They will impulsively agree to guarantee or co-sign loans or obligations of their friends to get a deal done and appear economically important. In accounting and business terminology, this careless action is called mismanagement of contingent liabilities.

Since you have easy access to cheap insurance for any asset or activity, and since you live with greater risk of injury (cars for example), very high medical costs, and an epidemic of lawsuits, you also violate this proverb by neglecting prudent insurance, especially liability insurance. God’s wisdom is to avoid unnecessary exposure to loss.

Solomon warned often about the error of promising to pay for others (Pr 6:1-5; 11:15; 17:18; 20:16; 27:13), for it can surprise you with unexpected obligations. If creditors come, you may not be able to pay (Pr 22:26-27). You will have exposed your family to unnecessary risk. Not all cosigning is wrong, but it must be done very prudently.

How important is this warning? What do God and Solomon warn about your possible risk to liability or loss? If you are involved in suretyship or other exposure to risk, do everything you can to protect yourself this very day. Do not delay! How do you know that adversity will not strike today? Get out of the trap quickly. Immediately! Right now!

Reader, have you promised to pay others’ obligations, if they do not? Have you co-signed any loans? Have you personally promised that you will cover some expense of others? Is your personal insurance portfolio up to date? Auto liability? Medical? Homeowner’s liability? Is your business insurance current? Especially liability? Get covered today.

In any issue of righteousness, truth, or wisdom, you should correct it immediately. David said, “I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments” (Ps 119:60). This is the zealous action of every true child of God. Is it yours? Haste is foolish and even sinful in situations that require caution and wisdom, but it is the only right way to obey God.

If you have sinned against God, there is only one time to confess and repent – right now (Is 55:6-7). If you are angry without a righteous reason, then get rid of it before sunset (Eph 5:26). Jesus said to forget acts of public worship until you correct private problems (Matt 5:23-24), which is true religion throughout the Bible (Is 1:10-20; 58:1-12; 66:1-4).

You do not know what will happen tomorrow, so do not plan on it (Pr 27:1; Jas 4:13-17). Governor Felix was convicted by Paul’s preaching, but postponed it to a more “convenient season,” which never came (Acts 24:24-27). King Agrippa said he was almost persuaded (Acts 26:27-29), but there is no evidence of conversion. What a loss!

Solomon warned that God will judge suddenly and without remedy, if you resist too long (Pr 29:1). Jesus Christ will swear in wrath against those who waste the opportunity to repent (Heb 3:7-19; Rev 2:20-23). If you have any conviction at all in your life about any matter, today and now is the time to make it right. Do not sleep on it. Do it before sunset.