Yes, the Bible, particularly the Old Testament, generally prohibits charging interest (usury) on loans to fellow Israelites, viewing it as exploitative and against community solidarity, though it sometimes permits it for foreigners, leading to centuries of Christian debate on its modern application, with some interpretations seeing it as a ban on harmful lending while others allow commercial interest. Key verses like Deuteronomy 23:19 forbid it among brethren, while passages in Exodus and Leviticus focus on not taking advantage of the poor, linking it to God's merciful character.
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.”
All three Abrahamic religions -- Christianity, Judaism, and Islam -- have teachings that prohibit the charging of interest on loans. This prohibition is based on the belief that charging interest is exploitative and goes against the principle of treating others with fairness and compassion.
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 ...
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.
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.
Proverbs 11:24 teaches a paradox about wealth: generosity leads to increase, while stinginess leads to poverty, even though it seems counterintuitive. It says a person who scatters or gives freely becomes richer, while someone who withholds more than is right (hoards) ends up in want or poverty. The core message is that true financial security and prosperity come from a generous spirit, not from selfishly holding onto resources.
Bible. The Old Testament "condemns the practice of charging interest on a poor person because a loan should be an act of compassion and taking care of one's neighbor"; it teaches that "making a profit off a loan from a poor person is exploiting that person (Exodus 22:25–27)."
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.
Judaism and Islam do not generally allow the charging of interest to believers or at least do not allow for excessive interest, usury. See Exodus 22:25–27 on the prohibition (but some have interpreted it in the context of taking advantage of the poor or lending to someone in need, as opposed to in business).
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).
Interest is deemed riba, or an unjust, exploitative gain, and such practice is forbidden under Islamic law. In Islamic finance, riba refers to interest charged on loans or deposits. Religious practice forbids riba, even at low interest rates, as both illegal and unethical or usurious.
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.
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.
Isaiah 60:22 is a Bible verse promising transformation and growth, stating that "The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly" (NIV), emphasizing God's ability to make small beginnings into powerful forces at His perfect time. It assures believers that seemingly insignificant things or people will flourish and become great when God acts, bringing peace and fulfillment.
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.
Here we have Jesus saying, “lend, expecting noth- ing in return,” again to the crowds as well as to Jesus' disciples (Lk 17, 7:1). Garland (2011) suggests that Jesus says this because his teaching reaffirms the essence of the Old Testament prohibition against interest.
Proverbs 22:7 says, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” If you owe someone money, they'll control your life until you pay it back.
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).
Modern finance tends to be highly regulated, and the government sets maximum interest rates in many countries. Charging interest above the maximum interest is known as usury, which is illegal in many countries.
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.”
Jesus gives some credence to interest charges in Matt. 25:14–30; Luke 19:12–27. If we are living in an actual Christian society, Usury would be against the law and anyone who practices it would be put through a trial and if convicted, sentenced to death.
Deuteronomy 23:19 American Standard Version (ASV)
Thou shalt not lend upon interest to thy brother; interest of money, interest of victuals, interest of anything that is lent upon interest.