The Bible issues a single specific warning regarding a particular danger of borrowing. Proverbs 22:7 clearly states the nature of that danger, “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” The verse makes it clear that debt imposes an obligation.
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).
Though the Bible never condemns borrowing as a sin, it warns us repeatedly about its dangers. Let me point out two of the strongest warnings. Borrowing puts us under the hand of another. “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender” (Proverbs 22:7).
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 …
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.
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)." Similarly, charging of interest (Hebrew: נֶֽשֶׁךְ, ...
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
ESV Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. NIV Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
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.
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.
“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.
What the Bible says about borrowing: 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.
Exodus 22 vs 25; If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury. Leviticus 25 vs 36–37; Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.
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.
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.
Paul writes in Romans 13:8 that we are to owe no man anything except love. If you have any doubts about it, we can assure you that borrowing and lending between family members will almost certainly get in the way of love at some point or other.
Matthew 5:42 in Other Translations
42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. 42 Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow.
Borrowing money is not a sin. But it isn't God's best either. Everything in God's Word is designed to keep you at the top in every area of life—including financially. You are called to be the head, not the tail; above, not beneath; and the lender, not the borrower (Deuteronomy 28:12-13).
In the Old Testament, as the Levitical priests were the civil government, tithes were required taxes for funding the national budget in Israel. By the New Testament, Christians were not commanded to tithe anymore but rather encouraged to voluntarily give to the church (and to God) in proportion to their wealth.
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.