Scriptural, historical, and modern Christian views on lending with interest (usury) are nuanced, generally distinguishing between assisting the poor and commercial lending. While Old Testament laws explicitly forbid charging interest to fellow believers in need, many Christians today interpret these principles as a prohibition against exploitative, high-interest lending rather than a ban on all interest-bearing, fair commercial loans.
Deuteronomy 23:19 Amplified Bible (AMP)
“You shall not charge interest to your fellow Israelite—interest on money, food or anything that may be loaned for interest.
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.
Deuteronomy 23:19-20 – “You shall not charge interest on loans to your brother, interest on money, interest on food, interest on anything that is lent for interest.
Usury has always been considered a sin. But not every sort of interest-bearing loan has been considered usury. There is a long history of defining usury as a loan of subsistence as opposed to a loan of capital. Loans in the Old Testament were given to those who were destitute and poor.
There's no single #1 worst sin; it depends on the religious or moral framework, but pride is often called the root of all evil (Christianity/Islam), while the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (unforgivable sin) is considered the gravest in the Bible. Other severe sins include child abuse (Catholicism) and sins that "cry to Heaven" (like shedding innocent blood or oppressing the poor).
Borrowing money seems like a fact of life in our culture, unavoidable. The Bible does not prohibit borrowing. However, it has strong words of caution. “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7).
The usual answer is something like, “It's okay to have hobbies if they aren't sinful.” For example, gotquestions.org concludes this. So yes, Christians can have hobbies, but we have to make sure they never replace Christ. That is the temptation, and we must be sure to avoid it. That's true.
First, the Bible does not prohibit borrowing, and certainly not lending. It does warn about the dangers of borrowing but leaves the door wide open for lending. In fact, the Jews were instructed not to charge interest on loans to other Jews.
Making extra income is never a terrible idea, and one way to do that with a loan agreement would be by charging interest. However, if you decide to charge interest, you may be liable to pay tax, depending on your individual tax position. This is because it will be seen as taxable income and so must be declared to HMRC.
In Luke 6:34-35a, Jesus tells a crowd of people, “And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.”
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.
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 Bible teaches that when money is borrowed there should also be a secure repayment plan. Psalm 37:21 says, “The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives.” This text is clear.
Even private loans that provide for repayment and interest are classed as credit transactions in terms of Section 8 (4) of the National Credit Act (except to family).
God clearly warns us not to go into debt or cosign a loan unless we are certain we can repay our obligation (Proverbs 22:26-27). You must conclude then that some debt is allowed. You can owe money to other people and not be in sin. However, debt carries a responsibility - you must repay your debts.
In sum, early Christian doctrine prohibited usury, which was originally understood as a ban on charging any interest on any kind of loan. 62 Charging interest was understood as a violation of commutative justice because it robbed the borrower of the fruits of his own capital.
Deuteronomy 28:12-13 declares that the Lord will send rain (a necessary provision for the work of that day) and bless all the work that you do. You have been appointed to be the lender and not the borrower, the head and not the tail. God has purposed for you to be on top and never at the bottom.
The New Testament does not address the issue of “usury” in the same way that was evident in the examination of key Old Testament texts (see Leviticus and Deuteronomy, Psalms and Ezekial, and Nehemiah), such as not charging interest on personal loans made to impoverished brothers who are fellow members of the covenant ...
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.
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.
First, God's Word tells us to help those in need … lending money if necessary. Deuteronomy 15:8 says, “You shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.”
Usury is interest that a lender charges a borrower at a rate above the lawful ceiling on such charges; a contract upon the loan of money with an illegally high interest rate as a condition of the loan. Usury is also the act of making a loan at such an interest rate; making a loan at a usurious rate.