Having a mortgage is not considered a sin in the Bible, but rather a financial decision that requires wisdom, stewardship, and caution. While scripture warns that debt makes the borrower a slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:7) and encourages debt-free living, it does not explicitly forbid taking out a reasonable loan for a home.
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.
All things considered, the Bible doesn't seem to be telling us that taking out a loan to buy a home or car or cover another truly important expense is a sin. Instead, the Word of God advises us to avoid letting money take over our lives.
However, borrowing should not be done to excess or done over a long time. It is best not to owe any debt, which should be the goal and pursuit of every Christian. But, needing to borrow is not wrong. Christians who hear God's voice and have God's financial principles to guide them can make wise borrowing decisions.
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).
Proverbs 6:16-19 New Living Translation (NLT)
There are six things the LORD hates— no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.
This oft repeated biblical text promises everyone a place to rest, a right to ownership, safety, and abundance (II Kings 18:31; Is. 36:16; Zech. 3:10). These and other Scripture passages assert that everyone has a right to a place to call home.
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.
You need a place to live. And we need Christians in all communities, not just the rich ones but not just the poor ones either. If we're living modestly and contentedly within the community where God has placed us, it's no sin to spend what's needed to have housing.
Paul doubles down in Romans 13:1-7. He tells us that all authority is established by God, and because of that, we owe them respect, honor, and—you guessed it—taxes. Paul isn't talking about a government that's perfect or always just; he's talking about the Roman Empire, which was no friend to Christians at that time.
The word mortgage comes from the Old French word “morgage”, which directly translates to “dead pledge”. (The prefix of the word, “mort”, means dead, while the suffix, “gage”, means pledge.) Although the word sounds a bit morbid, there is a reason for it!
The scriptures tell us that the Spirit of the Lord cannot dwell in a place of confusion or uncleanliness. If we make our homes cheerful, clean, and inviting, our loved ones will want to be there. As we live in harmony with gospel principles, the Spirit of the Lord brings us peace and tranquillity.
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).
If the savings rate is higher than your mortgage rate, it might be better to prioritise saving for the future. It's worth factoring in any tax you might have to pay on your savings, as this might reduce how much interest you earn.
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.
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.
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.
Isaiah 32:18 (New International Version) says, “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” Consider the Garden of Eden. It was God's original intent for our earthly dwellings.
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.
Pride is known as hubris (from the Ancient Greek ὕβρις) or futility; it is considered the original and worst of the seven deadly sins—the most demonic—on almost every list.