Did you know you can make a charitable gift to the government – just like you can to your church or to the Presidential Prayer Team? The U.S. Treasury gladly accepts “contributions to reduce debt held by the public”…the national debt, in other words. But the total sum donated by all Americans in the most recent fiscal year was only $5.1 million. Given that the national debt is $18.1 trillion (and growing by the second), the total sum donated in an entire year covered less than two minutes of new borrowing by the government.

Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm.

Proverbs 11:15

The morale of this story: few people will donate their hard-earned dollars to those who will be irresponsible with the gift. Today’s scripture reference reinforces the damage that can come from borrowing, and highlights the particularly reckless practice of what we call “cosigning.”

Remember that any resources you have – including your good name and credit – are gifts from God to be stewarded with care. Today, pray for wisdom to manage them wisely, and pray also that America’s leaders will learn to govern and spend responsibility.

Recommended Reading: Romans 13:1-8