Borrowed?

‘Neither a borrower nor a lender be’ is a great comment if you are not in need. Many of us have borrowed a cup of sugar with never a though of returning it, but what happens if you borrow something of more importance- like a book?

A book is very different from a cup of sugar. A book is beloved, read and reread by its owner. When it disappears into someone else’s yawning closet- never to be seen again- hard feelings may result.

The quote is in fact from Hamlet, Polonius speaking in Act 1. It goes like this.

Neither a borrower nor a lender be, for loan oft loses both itself and friend.

And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. This above all to thine own self be true.

And it must follow as the night the day, thou canst not be false to any man.

The comment rings true for many a person holds a grudge over anything lent out and not returned.

However, the Bible says:

And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. (Luke 6:34, ESV)

For the sake of our peace in Jesus, we have to let it go, lest we become ensnared in the sin of unforgiveness and thus distance ourselves from God.

Prayer- Oh God, we confess we are holding onto the loan of _______________ to ____________ . Take our hardheartedness Lord and help us forgive and yes even forget. For the sake of knowing Christ. Amen.