When I was in junior high school, I was a nobody. I was quiet, not real bright, and certainly no athlete, so I was pretty-much unnoticed. I had a handful of friends who were like me, but we got along just fine, thank you. But, one day at lunch, a boy from a higher circle of friends spoke to me. I was pleasantly surprised. But after one sentence, Mike asked to borrow 30¢ for lunch. I had 30¢ so I gave it to him, and he left. My group of friends had noticed me talking to Mike and asked me about it when I sat down at the cafeteria table. When Donnie heard that Mike borrowed 30¢ from me, he said, “That was a mistake, Whitely. You’ll never see that 30¢ again.” My new-found confidence melted. I asked Mike about the loan a couple of times the next week, but he had a ready excuse each time. A week after that, Mike needed 30¢ for lunch again. We discussed his non-payment on the original 30¢, but he assured me that he would pay me the full 60¢ as soon as he got his allowance. I gave him the second 30¢, but I made sure that my friends didn’t see the transaction. And wouldn’t you know it, two weeks later, Mike asked for 30¢ again. I reminded him of his promise to repay the 60¢, but an argument followed. Mike stormed away when I refused a third loan. He made it look like I was rude to him! I never saw my 60¢, but I did learn a lesson. “Neither a borrower nor a lender be.” - William Shakespeare I should have asked around before getting involved with Mike, because I discovered that he had a reputation. But foolish me was suckered into his web of borrowing. Solomon said in Proverbs 2:3, “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” I lost 60¢ but I learned not to fall for fast talking. At least I think I learned. If I think it’s a good cause, I’ll GIVE money, but I won’t LEND money to anyone. It works out a lot better that way.
