Exodus 22:14 - If anything is borrowed, it should be paid back. If what is borrowed is lost or injured, full restitution must be made. Ps 37:21 - The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives. The Bible is clear that when something is borrowed is should be paid back.
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 circumstances, but it's never a black-and-white issue.
So, here is our first conclusion. The Bible does not teach that borrowing money is a sin. However, it discourages debt and clearly warns against its practical and spiritual dangers, thus compelling us to be wise stewards in the way we manage our finances. The basic conclusion is this. If you can avoid debt, avoid it.
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.
According to Leviticus 25:37, “You shall not lend [your brother] your money at interest.” Exodus 22:25 stipulates” “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him.” Deuteronomy 23:20 says much the same thing about loans ...
These are the ten biblical financial principles: God is the source; give first; live on a margin; save money; keep out of debt; be content with what you have; keep records; don't cosign; work hard and seek godly counsel.
It condemns the misuse of debt and the failure to repay debts (Psalm 37:21; Proverbs 3:27-28). If we take God's Word seriously, we should avoid debt. In those rare cases where we go into debt, we should make every effort to get out as soon as possible (2 Kings 4:1; Matthew 5:25-26; 18:23-24).
It's not a sin to borrow money. But the mindset that values hard work seeks as often as possible not to take out debt. This is what the Scriptures about work let us know. “If a man borrows anything of his neighbor, and it is injured or dies, the owner not being with it, he shall make full restitution."
A common interpretation is that Jesus was reacting to the practice of money changers routinely cheating the people, but Marvin L. Krier Mich observes that a good deal of money was stored at the temple, where it could be loaned by the wealthy to the poor who were in danger of losing their land to debt.
While borrowing isn't sinful, churches must carefully consider the financial and spiritual implications before taking on debt. By following biblical principles and partnering with the right institutions, churches can make informed decisions that support their mission to advance the Gospel.
Deuteronomy 15:6 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
For the LORD your God will bless you, as he promised you, and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow, and you shall rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over you.
Banks did not exist in Bible times. But there were money lenders. The Old Testament spoke against giving your money on interest (see Leviticus 25: 37; Psalms 15: 5 etc.). But in the New Testament we do not find such restrictions (compare Matthew 25: 27; Luke 19: 23).
Luke 7:41-50 New Living Translation (NLT)
Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts.
“You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.” What does the Bible say about tattoos? That's it—that one line in Leviticus 19:28 of the Old Testament. But context is key—and this scripture may not apply to us in the way it looks.
Hence, incurring a debt is not a sin. While being in debt is not a sin, Romans 13:8 tells the Christian to avoid being in debt. Sinners borrow from others and never return what they borrowed (Psalm 37:21).
The first time the New Testament mentions Jesus saying anything to do with lending is Matthew 5:42. Here, Jesus says, “Give to every- one who begs from you and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.” Borrow means getting “tem- porary use of money etc. to be returned …
You could say something like, "It would be helpful to me if you could make a payment towards the loan today." If you're worried your friend may truly be having trouble repaying the money, say something like, "I know you're still struggling, but is there a small amount you could pay me now?"
Similarly, in Deuteronomy 15, God says that every seven years, creditors should “remit the claim that is held against a neighbor” because “the Lord's remission has been proclaimed.” In the New Testament, Jesus instructs his followers to pray “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12, ...
Deuteronomy 23:19 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995) “You shall not charge interest to your countrymen: interest on money, food, or anything that may be loaned at interest.
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). And there's this: “God paid a high price for you, don't be enslaved to the world” (1 Corinthians 7:23, NLT).
The Biblical doctrine of usury rests primarily on three texts: Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:35; and Deuteronomy 23:19-20. Exodus and Leviticus prohibit loans of money or food with interest to a needy brother or sister or even a resident alien. Deuteronomy forbids taking interest from any person.
Matthew 6:12. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Jesus replied: "`Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.
Proverbs 21:5 advises, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” Planning for the future involves setting financial goals, creating a budget, and saving for emergencies and long-term expenses. By planning ahead, we can confidently avoid financial stress and prepare for the future.