What did Jesus teach about debt?

Asked by: Dayton Cole I  |  Last update: February 22, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (52 votes)

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.

What did Jesus say about debt?

Christ doesn't say debt will take a man to hell, but the Bible does say pay what is owed. So, it's all about trying to follow Christ with your heart. Romans 13:7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

What did Jesus say about borrowing money?

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 …

Did Jesus forgive debt?

A central pillar of the Christian faith is that Jesus “paid” for all of our sins by sacrificing his life, zeroing out a debt we owed but could never repay. The Bible is drenched with a spirit of compassion and sympathy for the poor — and rails against the rich people who abuse them.

How did Jesus pay our debt?

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). God grants this freedom to all who choose to follow Jesus (Colossians 2:13).

Understanding What The Bible Says About Debt | Preston Morrison

29 related questions found

What did Jesus mean by forgive us our debts?

The word debt suggests we owe God something we cannot pay. “Forgive us our debts” suggests that we have done things that we should not have done, and left undone things we should have done. “Forgive us our trespasses” comes from the Book of Common Prayer, which is why many people use the word trespasses.

Is it biblical to be debt free?

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.

Is it a sin to take debt?

While being in debt is not a sin, Romans 13:8 tells the Christian to avoid being in debt. Sinners borrow from others and never return what they borrowed (Psalm 37:21). Christians should not besmirch the name of Christ by being a deadbeat.

How much money was Jesus betrayed for?

​​Judas Iscariot agrees to handover Jesus in exchange of thirty pieces of silver, according to an account in the Gospel of Matthew (26:15) in the New Testament: “14 Then one of the Twelve - the one called Judas Iscariot - went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to ...

What is the parable about debt?

The 'Parable of the Unforgiving Servant' is from the Christian Bible: Matthew 18:21-35. It details the story of a servant who was forgiven a massive (unrepayable) debt, only to refuse forgiveness to another servant who owed a relatively small debt.

How did Jesus support himself financially?

Summary: Jesus' travels and ministry were predominantly funded by voluntary donations, mainly from devoted women followers. Jesus did not sustain a personal treasury, embodying a reliance on divine providence and human generosity.

What does the Bible say about tattoos?

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 things did Jesus borrow?

A borrowed a coin to illustrate a point about paying taxes – (Matt. 22:19) • A borrowed donkey on which to ride- Palm Sunday –Luke 19 • A borrowed upper room in which to eat the last Passover Meal • A borrowed cross on which to die—Barabbas cross • A borrowed tomb in which to lie—Joseph's fresh cut tomb.

How to pray for financial breakthrough?

Prayer for financial breakthrough:

"Dear God, I pray for a breakthrough in my financial situation. Please open doors and create opportunities for me to increase my income and achieve financial freedom."

Does Jesus owe us anything?

God owes us nothing! There is nothing we can do to put God in a position of owing us something. There is nothing we can do to place God in our debt. Jesus says in verse 10 that we are unworthy of any praise.

What does the Bible say about cremation?

While the Bible doesn't explicitly endorse cremation, there's also no scriptural passage that directly prohibits it.

Did Jesus pay a debt?

But God took that signed confession of indebtedness which stood as a perpetual witness against us and canceled it in the death of Christ. We are no longer in default on the debt because Jesus paid it all! Whatever we owed, he paid. Whatever penalty we incurred, he endured.

What would 30 pieces of silver be worth today?

There are 31.1035 grams per troy ounce. At spot valuation of $28/ozt in 2021, 30 "pieces of silver" would be worth approximately $91 to $441 in present-day value (USD) depending on which coin was used.

What did Jesus say about being in debt?

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.

Does Jesus forgive debt?

At Calvary there was an amazing cancellation of the debt that we owed as sinners: Sinners are debtors who have no way of paying off the debt they owe. The good news of the Christian gospel is that Christ has cancelled that debt for us, by suffering in our place.

Should Christians be debt free?

Remember, the Bible never says that borrowing is a sin. However, it cautions us not to become enslaved to creditors. One of the ways we can honor Jesus' sacrifice is to avoid such entanglements.

How does God view debt?

“The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives” (Psalm 37:21). To refuse to settle our debts is downright wicked, a gross abdication of Christian character. Debt is not always wrong, but in most cases it is inadvisable.

Does God want us to be financially free?

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.

What is the powerful prayer when someone owes you money?

“Heavenly Father, I lift this person up to you and put this situation in your hands. Please give me wisdom. Please bless this person financially so they will never feel the need to borrow in the future. Your ways are not our ways.