Proverbs 22:7 states, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender" (NIV/ESV). It highlights that debt creates a, power imbalance, where the borrower loses financial freedom and becomes obligated to the lender until the debt is repaid.
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 own your life until you pay it back.
Proverbs says, “Don't withhold repayment of your debts” (Proverbs 3:27 TLB). And in Romans you can read, “Let no debt remain outstanding” (Romans 13:8 NIV). You probably already know this intuitively, but God makes it clear in the Bible: Debt is not a good thing. Yet many people find themselves drowning in debt.
Many proverbs are framed in two parts, each meant to explain the other. In this case, Solomon notes that when someone takes a loan, the lender "rules" over them, much as a master would over a slave.
Proverbs 22:7 warns, “The borrower is slave to the lender.” The Hebrew word for “slave” is 'ebed (TY), meaning a servant under obligation. Debt makes you bound to someone else's terms, but financial freedom allows you to serve God fully.
Every debt—especially credit-card debt—is a mountain in your life that needs to be removed (Mark 11:22-24). Romans 13:8 says, “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another.” Clearly, debt is not from God. So if debt is a mountain, then it's time to speak to it and get it out of your life.
Terms such as "pledges," "surety," or "security" are like what modern banking would call "collateral:" something of worth to forfeit if a debt is not paid.
The Monster Of Never Having Enough
Message Summary: Debt creates the illusion of wealth and freedom, but it's actually captivity and bondage. Proverbs 22:7 tells us plainly: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” When we live in debt, we trade freedom for the illusion of success.
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.
“Surety” in Scripture is a legally-binding guarantee to pay for someone else's debts or responsibilities. In modern terms, becoming “surety for thy friend” is being someone's CO-SIGNER. It is making a deal with a financial institution or a business to pay your friend's financial obligations if they fail to do so.
Philippians 4:19: And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Romans 13:8: Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another.
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.
Six Steps on the Path to Overcoming Debt
Proverbs 22:7 speaks a profound truth that remains relevant across centuries and cultures: "The borrower is servant to the lender."
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.
Those who believe on Jesus Christ are in the Lamb's Book of Life and will never be blotted out. Revelation 3:5 (KJV) - He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
If you think similarly, I'm here to show you today that Scripture says the tithe is for the local church alone. But why shouldn'tyou tithe to your family? You can't tithe to your family simply because the church needs funds.
Ps 37:21 - The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives. The Bible is clear that when something is borrowed is should be paid back. Someone refusing to repay reveals a wicked heart and not the generous and giving heart God wants us to have.
Lending money to family members or close friends can sometimes make sense, especially if the person is responsible and has no other options. Even then, don't put your own finances in jeopardy. If you decide to proceed, make sure to get the terms in writing and consider what would happen if the person fails to repay.
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. How much could you save if you had no payments? How much could you GIVE if you had no payments? That life is possible.
Mary was making memories. She was collecting a sort of mental scrapbook. The other key word in this verse is the word, “pondered.” The Greek word means “to throw thoughts together; mull over, draw conclusions, consider, confer mentally.” Another definition for ponder is to wonder at a deep level.
1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV) “But if any provide not for HIS own, and specially for those of HIS own house, HE hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” A man is supposed to be a provider, period.
A promissory note is a written promise to pay back money. These legally binding agreements typically include debt repayment terms—like payment schedules and interest rates. A borrower is expected to follow the repayment terms outlined in the promissory note.
In Proverbs 22:26, we're given this straightforward warning: “Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts.” At first glance, this may seem like simple financial advice, but as with so much of Scripture, there's a deeper principle here worth exploring.
Debt Protection may cancel your outstanding loan balance or cancel your monthly payment in the event of an unexpected life event without penalty or added interest. Debt Protection can: Help protect your credit rating by saving you from defaulting on a loan.