Proverbs 22:26-27
"Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?"
Romans 13:8
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
One of the key verses often cited is Romans 13:8, which states, 'Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. ' This verse suggests a lifestyle of not being in debt to anyone, promoting financial independence and ethical responsibility.
Romans 13:8 AMPC. Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor [who practices loving others] has fulfilled the Law [relating to one's fellowmen, meeting all its requirements].
The Bible never says that going into debt is a sin.
Proverbs 3:27-28 is a very sweeping, broad stroke scripture. It offers quite a bit of instruction. First of all, it says in verse 27 we must not withhold good from our neighbors. The word good here does not mean just being nice in general. The emphasis is on providing tangible goods or material goods for our neighbor.
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, ...
Financial freedom means having enough to provide adequately for your household and to give generously and joyfully to God's work. God wants you to be financially free so you can put Him first in your life and be sensitive to His voice, ready to follow Him whenever -- and wherever -- He leads.
All of us have a spiritual debt we cannot pay, but the Bible tells us God has paid our debt! He canceled the payment due for our sins and instead accepted the payment His Son Jesus provided when He died on the cross (Colossians 2:14).
We owe God a life that is a living sacrifice. We do this through our tithes, offerings, gifts, time, talents, possessions, etc. God does not just want half of our lives; He wants us to devote ourselves fully to Him. The call to a Christian is to be ALL IN.
If you owe someone honor, honor that person. Pay your debts as they come due. However, one debt you can never finish paying is the debt of love that you owe each other. The one who loves another person has fulfilled Moses' Teachings.
Proverbs 22:26-27 New Living Translation (NLT)
Don't agree to guarantee another person's debt or put up security for someone else. If you can't pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you.
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 …
Scripture is clear that while debt itself may not be sinful, it's also not God's best for His people. This is because when we choose to borrow money, we are putting our trust and confidence in a credit card or a lender instead of in Christ.
“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.
Remember, God loves us and has given us these principles for our benefit. Read the first portion of Romans 13:8 from several different translations: “Owe no man anything” (KJV). “Let no debt remain outstanding” (NIV). “Don't run up debts” (MSG).
The Gospels are full of examples of God's favor being focused on the poor, not the rich. Jesus enters the world in a stable and lives in a working-class family. St. Joseph was a laborer, not a worker with fine wood.
He can create or allow financial hardships to occur in your life for the purpose of correction, instruction, and spiritual growth. He does this out of love.
The Bible doesn't say debt is a sin or a result of disobedience. We assume it does, but not because it says it directly, but because of what we've heard or what we've interpreted from other scriptures we've read. Here are the Biblical references to debt and what they mean: Deuteronomy 15:1 - Debt is to be released.
In Leviticus 25, we find the first reference to Jubilee, as part of the law given by Yahweh to the Israelites. These verses describe God's intent that the Israelites should remain free from slavery for all time by instituting a Sabbath year every seven years.
“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.
7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
ESV So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. NIV If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.
ESV Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. NIV Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. NASB One who is gracious to a poor person lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed.