What does the Bible say about lending money?
Deuteronomy 15:8 says, “You shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.” Turning to the New Testament, in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:42, Jesus says, “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
Psalm 15:5 – “Who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.” And Ezekiel 18:8, 13, 17 all echo this instruction to not lend money at interest to the poor.
Philippians 4:19: And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Proverbs 10:22: The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. 2 Corinthians 9:8: And God will generously provide all you need.
“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” - Psalm 37:21. As Christians, we know that paying our debts is important.
Deuteronomy 15:6 King James Version (KJV)
For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.
Biblical prohibitions on usury were later redefined as prohibitions on lending at excessive interest rates. Today, charging interest on loans is an everyday part of life. Modern Christian leaders condemn excessive interest rates, but not the lending of money itself.
Deuteronomy forbids taking interest from any person. Other Books of the Bible underline the importance of this prohibition on interest. For example, Psalm 15:5 characterizes a righteous man as one who, among other things, lends his money without usury.
And finally, a verse that might make you think the only proper response is to lend money to a family member, in particular, is 1 Timothy 5:8, which reads, “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Matthew 6:33
In Matthew 6, we're reminded to “seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and he will give you all that you need.” Notice Jesus doesn't say he will give you everything you want. God will give you everything you need.
While tithing 10% of your income is biblical, that doesn't mean you have to be a Christian to tithe. It also doesn't mean you're a bad Christian if you don't tithe.
What does Jesus say about financial debt?
Matthew 18:27, 30, 32, 34 - Forgive because your debts have been forgiven. Luke 7:42-43 - He who is forgiven much (debt) loves much; he who is forgiven little (debt) loves little. Romans 4:4 - Wages, like a debt owed, must be paid. Colossians 2:14 Jesus canceled the record of debt we owed by nailing it to the cross.
You might say to God: “Heavenly Father, I lift this person up to you and put this situation in your hands. Please give me wisdom. Please bless this person financially so they will never feel the need to borrow in the future. Your ways are not our ways.
[6] For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations,but they shall not reign over thee.
The Old Testament "condemns the practice of charging interest on a poor person because a loan should be an act of compassion and taking care of one's neighbor"; it teaches that "making a profit off a loan from a poor person is exploiting that person (Exodus 22:25–27)." Similarly, charging of interest (Hebrew: נֶֽשֶׁךְ, ...
28:22 The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them. 13:8 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. 13:11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
In Christian tradition, the love of money is condemned as a sin primarily based on texts such as Ecclesiastes 5:10 and 1 Timothy 6:10. The Christian condemnation relates to avarice and greed rather than money itself.
Some folks question whether it's okay to ask God for financial help. So first off, let's dispel the notion that God doesn't care about your money or that it's wrong to pray about your finances. Nothing in the Bible says that. If it's important to you, it's important to God.
Most Muslims and most "non-Muslim observers of the Islamic world" believe that interest on loans (also on bonds, bank deposits etc.) is forbidden by Islam. (Such loans — or banks that make them — are sometimes referred to as ribawi, i.e. carrying riba.)
It doesn't say that it's a sin to borrow
While the Bible offers many warnings about the dangers of debt, it never says that you are out of God's will or violating one of God's commandments when you borrow. We can debate the wisdom of incurring debt under certain circ*mstances, but it's never a black-and-white issue.
The scriptures tell us to owe no one anything. If you use your debit and credit cards according to the code of practice of the lender, you do not owe. Make sure you pay the cards off on time, to maintain your Christian testimony.
Does the Bible support loans?
Many Old Testament texts specify the normative position followers of God are to take on lending, debt, and interest. These include Exodus 22:25, Leviticus 25:36-37, Deuteronomy 15:1- 11, 23:19-20, Nehemiah 5:1-13, Psalms 15:5, Proverbs 28:8, Ezekiel 18:7-8, 13; 22:12.
Summary: Borrowing and lending are both approved practices in the Bible as long as interest rates are reasonable, no interest is imposed upon the poor and the money is paid back in a responsible and timely fashion. If someone cannot fulfill these principles, it would be sinful to borrow.
Instructions From Jesus on Helping Others. “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. ...
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.” “But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”
God is working to display His glory in our financial limitations. This is true not only because it forges our character to become more like Christ, but also because it allows us to be witnesses of Christ to those who do not know Him.
