What The Bible Says About Borrowing And Lending Money

Question

What does the Bible say about lending money?

Answer

God's Discussion says that many people wander from the faith and pierce themselves with many griefs when they allow money to accept an improper hold on their hearts. That'due south why the Bible contains hundreds of verses on how God wants united states to care for coin, and this includes the lending of it.

Moses addressed this issue in the Old Testament. Essentially, the Israelites were not permitted to accuse interest when they loaned money to an impoverished blood brother. They could, even so, charge interest on loans fabricated to foreigners. This dominion was part of the Mosaic Police: "If y'all lend money to one of my people among you lot who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest" (Exodus 22:25; encounter also Psalm fifteen:5). This prohibition against charging interest actually included "food or anything else that may earn interest" (Deuteronomy 23:19). The purpose of the police force was two-fold: an interest-begetting loan would merely exacerbate the plight of the poor, and God promised a approving on the gracious lender that would far surpass any involvement he would make. Additionally, at the stop of every seven years, creditors were to cancel all the debts they were owed past swain Israelites (Deuteronomy xv:1).

In the New Testament, Jesus tells us non to "plow away from the one who wants to infringe from you" (Matthew 5:42). He applied this principle even to our enemies in their fourth dimension of need: "Just dear your enemies and lend to them without expecting to get annihilation back. So your reward volition be great" (Luke 6:35, emphasis added). Indeed, there are numerous passages throughout the Bible exhorting us to take a generous and giving middle, specially to the less fortunate. Moses taught his people, "If there is a poor homo among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, practice not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs" (Deuteronomy fifteen:7-eight).

The articulate education of the Bible is that God expects His children to human activity righteously when lending money. And it helps united states of america to remember that our ability to produce wealth comes from God (Deuteronomy 8:18) and information technology is God who "sends [both] poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts" (1 Samuel 2:7). At present, there is naught wrong with legitimately loaning money and expecting to be repaid at a fair rate of interest. Yet we need to retrieve that the Bible's teaching on coin matters also includes borrowing money and indebtedness. Although the Bible does not expressly forbid borrowing coin, it doesn't encourage it, either. Information technology is not God's all-time for His people, every bit debt essentially makes one a slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:vii). God would rather have us look to Him for our needs than rely on lenders. Additionally, as the psalmist makes clear, nosotros are to repay our debts (Psalm 37:21). When we loan money to someone, we increase that person's debt load and make information technology easier for him to stumble.

Someone once said, "Before borrowing coin from a friend, decide which you need most." In that location is no dubiety that friendships have been strained or fifty-fifty lost due to the lending of money. Yet, if both parties stay inside biblical parameters, at that place shouldn't be a problem. Notwithstanding, to forego jeopardizing a relationship you value, in some situations a gift may be better than a loan. God expects His children to give to those in demand, so we give of our time, talents and treasure. Equally Jesus taught u.s., "Give, and information technology will be given to you. A skilful measure, pressed downward, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it volition be measured to you" (Luke 6:38).

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This page last updated: January iv, 2022

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