Jesus spoke about debt primarily through parables, using it as a metaphor for sin and emphasizing forgiveness, responsibility, and generosity, teaching followers to forgive others as they hope to be forgiven by God, while also illustrating wisdom in stewardship and the need to meet obligations, even using the idea of debt to show how Christ paid humanity's ultimate debt. He didn't condemn debt itself but highlighted the spiritual lessons within financial situations, advocating for mercy over harsh repayment and emphasizing giving to those in need.
What the Bible Says About Debt. According to the Psalmist, the borrower is reckoned as wicked because of the choice not to repay the debt, not simply because he or she owed it. This Scripture does not condemn debt outright, nor label borrowers as sinful.
In Romans 13:8, the apostle Paul challenges us to “owe no one anything, except to love.” This isn't just about money—it's about the freedom that comes when we live with integrity, responsibility, and trust in God's provision. Debt can weigh us down—not just financially, but emotionally and spiritually.
But across all 2,350 verses about money, not one of them says that borrowing, or being in debt, is forbidden. The Bible does not contain a direct mandate to never borrow money. It does, however, clearly indicate that borrowing comes with burdens and negative consequences.
God's message on financial struggles emphasizes trusting Him for provision, seeking His kingdom first, avoiding debt, and practicing stewardship, with promises of support for the righteous while encouraging prudence, as seen in verses like Philippians 4:19 (God supplies needs), Matthew 6:33 (seek first God's kingdom), and Proverbs 22:7 (borrower is slave to lender).
Matthew 6:12 - Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 18:27, 30, 32, 34 - Forgive because your debts have been forgiven. Luke 7:42-43 - He who is forgiven much (debt) loves much; he who is forgiven little (debt) loves little. Romans 4:4 - Wages, like a debt owed, must be paid.
Sometimes the financial hardships you face have nothing to do with what you've done or not done. We live in an imperfect, sin-filled world, and the consequences of sin affect us all. God has given people the option to choose between right and wrong, and sometimes people choose wrong.
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).
The Bible teaches that when money is borrowed there should also be a secure repayment plan. Psalm 37:21 says, “The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives.” This text is clear. It does not say the person who borrows is wicked, but rather the one who borrows and does not pay back.
Six Steps on the Path to Overcoming Debt
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.
I come before You today, weary and overwhelmed, asking for divine intervention. This cycle of debt has drained my peace, my joy, and my strength. But I believe You are greater than any financial mountain I face. In the name of Jesus: I break the spirit of financial bondage over my life.
Better savings potential: losing your monthly debt repayments gives you more money in your pocket. Interest paid on debts is often higher than interest earned on savings, so clearing your debts first boosts your savings potential and gives you extra cash for your financial goals.
It's a Spiritual Principle: We Reap What We Sow (Galatians 6:7) I've discovered the best way to deal with money is to give it away. This is a key factor in helping us to maintain a biblical focus on our finances. And we need to keep on giving, especially during challenging financial times.
Remember, the Bible never says that borrowing is a sin. However, it cautions us not to become enslaved to creditors.
No amount of obedience or good deeds on our part can erase the debt we owe to God. Jesus points out that even if we have done everything we are obligated to do in His service, we are still “unprofitable servants” - we still have not paid back the debt that we owe. The debt we owe is forgiven in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 6:12 is Jesus' second reference to lending- related terms, this time focusing on our debt to God and those in debt to us: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Like Matthew 5:42 above, this teaching is included in the Sermon on the Mount, directed both to the disciples and the world ...
“You, who were dead in your trespasses . . . God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us” (Col. 2:13-14).
The Bible says in Psalm 37:21, “The wicked borrow and do not repay” (NIV). God does not bless the wicked. It's not moral to stiff somebody out of debt. God says if you have a debt, you are to pay it off.
The unpardonable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Blasphemy includes ridicule and attributing the works of the Holy Spirit to the devil.
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.
When life gets hard, God's message, as conveyed in the Bible, is one of comfort, strength, and presence, urging believers to trust Him, find rest in Him, and remember He is with them and has overcome the world's troubles, offering peace and a future hope. Key themes include God as a refuge, His power working best in weakness, and His promise to sustain and help, even when things seem overwhelming.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7). The first thing to remember when experiencing financial hardship is that God cares for us. Our needs are not overlooked or insignificant.
After all, we often read in the Bible, “Do not fear,” “Do not worry,” and “Do not be anxious.” Even Jesus says these words. So does this mean that anxiety is a sin? Well, to put it simply, no—anxiety isn't inherently sinful.