Proverbs:15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
Jeremiah 15:10 ESV /
Woe is me, my mother, that you bore me, a man of strife and contention to the whole land! I have not lent, nor have I borrowed, yet all of them curse me.
1 Timothy 6:18 ESV
They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share
OK, Rey, these are just a few scriptures, there are many. If you can afford to forget the $80.00, then do so. I would go to this person and tell him I was concerned about his behavior toward you and that you understand and hold no ill will toward him. If he does not accept this, then there is nothing more you can do. My personal opinion is that when I loan someone money and they don't pay it back, I have to (for my mental health) to consider it a gift. If you value the person, there is not much else you can do about it.
Your spiritual life is worth more than money. Was this neighbor a friend? I am sure he is ashamed that he hasn't paid you back. There is also nothing wrong in asking him why he hasn't. Let us know what you do.
Unfortunately anytime you lend money to someone, there is always a good chance that you won't ever see it again. I think that I would send him a note stating that I would appreciate his paying back the money that he borrowed, but if he can't afford it right now, just to let me know. After that, I wouldn't mention it again.
". . and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us".
Another translation of the Lord's Prayer says:
". . and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"
Vago, forget about it. Let G-d. Act as if it was a gift. If you walk with Him He will repay you if you just let it go. Man, I have been down that road more then once. But, if you look at Matthew 5 verse 38-42, you will see what Yeshua says about all of this. "You have heard it said "and eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth".... "But I say to you don't resist the evil person. Whoever slaps your right cheek then turn the other to him also. If someone sues you and takes your tunic then give him your cloak also. If you are compelled to walk a mile with someone, then walk two miles with them. GIVE TO HIM WHO ASKS, AND IF A BROTHER WANTS TO BORROW FROM YOU DON'T TURN HIM AWAY." Abba (Father) knows that this will happen. It is wrong for him to not to pay you back and G-d will work on him if he is a believer. But you must be the stronger believer. You must tell him that it's a gift and release him from paying you back. It will save your friendship and take care of the awkwardness in the future. I guarantee that if you do this he will in the future "want" to pay you back to show you that he wants to do right.
I have been on both ends and I know what I say is right.
