Christianity has a complex view on interest, with Old Testament verses forbidding charging it to fellow Israelites (seen as usury), but allowing it with foreigners, while the New Testament emphasizes generosity; today, most denominations don't see moderate interest as inherently sinful, but condemn predatory lending that exploits the poor, viewing it as contrary to Christian ethics, though some still hold stricter views, especially regarding fellow believers.
For the most part, Christians have concluded that interest is not inherently prohibited in modern societies, but that lending practices— including interest rates and collateral—must not take advantage of vulnerable people or make people destitute.
This is a good example of our focus text today, which is Philippians 2:4 where Paul says, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others.”
The Biblical Foundation
Scripture is clear on this point: God's people are to avoid charging interest to one another. Exodus 22:25 – “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.”
The taking of interest was forbidden to clerics from AD 314. It was strictly forbidden for laymen in 1179. The beginning of the end as far as the total ban on interest was concerned came in the sixteenth century.
To sin is to say "no" to God and God's presence by harming others, ourselves, or all of creation. Charging interest is indeed sinful when doing so takes advantage of a person in need as well as when it means investing in corporations involved in the harming of God's creatures.
A set of Islamic principles—based on the goal of providing economic justice for all—prohibits Muslims from paying or receiving interest during financial transactions. Some Jewish and Christian groups face a similar prohibition.
It's no more wrong than thinking about mowing the yard or grocery shopping. It becomes sinful when your fantasies somehow harm or disrespect your spouse. Or, when your fantasies recast your spouse with someone else. “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
Our hobbies must become a platform upon which we stand to proclaim “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:1). If our hobbies are lacking an urgency to know and enjoy Christ and to make him known, than they are becoming less than they were created to be.
Proverbs 18:22 means finding a wife (or a godly, supportive partner) is a great blessing and a sign of God's favor, viewing marriage as a divine gift for companionship, mutual growth, and building a life of faith, not just a social arrangement, but also highlighting the importance of seeking a wise, faithful spouse. It emphasizes that such a partnership, built on shared values and God's guidance, brings joy and strength, reflecting God's blessing in a life.
The gifting and calling were from God (Exodus 35:30-35). He created each of us as individuals, with different interests and skills and talents, and using them to His glory is part of being a good steward.
Proverbs 17:22 states, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones," meaning a joyful attitude promotes health and well-being, while persistent negativity and despair are damaging to both the mind and body, affecting physical vitality. It highlights the strong connection between one's inner emotional state (heart/spirit) and physical health, suggesting that inner happiness acts like healing medicine, while a broken spirit weakens a person.
Most biblical texts that address lending at interest are negative. There's only one that allows it under specific circumstances. On a straightforward reading, it seems clear that charging interest is prohibited. Also, lending in the ancient world was often exploitative.
Many religions, including Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, conservative Protestant denominations (like Southern Baptists, some Lutherans, Methodists, Pentecostals, and Evangelicals), and Islam, generally do not support LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex sexual activity, viewing them as sinful or against religious doctrine, with views ranging from condemnation to exclusion. Other faiths like Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, and some traditional Hinduism and Buddhism perspectives also often discourage or prohibit LGBTQ+ practices, though interpretations vary widely within these faiths.
Researchers Helmuth Nyborg and Richard Lynn compared belief in God and IQs. Using data from a U.S. study of 6,825 adolescents, the authors found that the average IQ of atheists was 6 points higher than the average IQ of non-atheists.
Christianity, the largest religion in the United States, experienced a 20th-century high of 91% of the total population in 1976. This declined to 73.7% by 2016 and 64% in 2022.
The "80% rule" for churches refers to two main concepts: either a growth limit (when average attendance hits 80% of sanctuary capacity, growth slows due to crowding in parking, seating, or kids' areas) or the Pareto Principle (80% of results come from 20% of efforts, meaning a few volunteers do most of the work). Both highlight potential issues: the first suggests building or adding services, while the second points to volunteer burnout and inequitable work distribution, prompting a need for leadership development to engage more people.
Neo-Wicca has only one rule: "An' it harm none, do as ye will"; neo-Paganism has no rules, except for the ones you and / or your Gods set out.
An Arabic term meaning forbidden or unlawful. In the case of Islamic finance, Muslims cannot invest in, acquire, or otherwise engage in transactions that involve forbidden products and activities such as pork-related products, alcohol, gambling, and pornography. The opposite of haram is halal.
Jewish Free Loan Association offers zero-interest, zero-fee loans that restore dignity, stability, and opportunity. Thousands of individuals and families have achieved financial security because JFLA was able to say "YES" to them when they needed it most. History teaches us that we can expect the unexpected in 2026.