This situation is very complex. I and my wife live in the basement of her parents home. We pay rent. But this week, we have come up short. This is the first time this has ever happened. Business was a little bit slow last week due to the holidays.

I have been married for a year now. We have loaned my father in law money before. They paid us back eventually.

But we owe several people money. We owe my mother in law money, because my wife borrowed it before we got married. I do not want to lend nor borrow any more money again.

When I was living with my own parents, it was dysfunction city. I had severe OCD (it is somewhat better now)- I controlled the household in terms of cleaning it and making irrational demands- my mother controlled me by taking all of my money. I have loaned my parents thousands of dollars, but they haven’t paid me back.

My in laws have made poor financial decisions in the past. But they are also very generous towards us sometimes. Right on Christmas Eve, they paid $210 to have our Honda repaired. It was very nice of them. But we let them borrow the Honda all the time. They have put a few thousand miles on it this year alone. They often have bought gas for the car, but they hadn’t really paid for any wear and tear until this Christmas.

My in laws have just one vehicle. The van is in the shop. It needs major work. It needs a new water pump, rear main seal, etc. It is going to run around 700-800 dollars, at least.

I have a little bit of money saved up for a car for myself. Our Honda is actually the wife’s car. I do not have my own car. But I both want and need one. I am saving my money specifically for a Camaro. But the amount I now have saved is just barely enough to make a meager down payment on a new car.

We could lend my in laws the money, but I would be very depressed if I had to do that. The little bit I have saved gives me hope, and gives me something to look forward to and hold on to. Is it selfish to want to keep it?

Would God be angry with me if I lied to my in laws, and told them that we do not have the money? I hate lying. I always like helping people in need, especially loved ones. But I have wanted a car desperately for years. It is my dream. As far as I know, the only way to get a car honestly is to buy it or inherit it. I don’t have any rich relatives about to pass on.

Am I a bad person? Should I loan them the money, even though it will cost me dearly? What would God recommend that I do in this situation?