You might say to God: “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.
The Bible warns us about debt. Proverbs 22:26-27 says Don't be one of those who enter agreements, who put up security for loans. If you have nothing with which to pay, even your bed will be taken from under you.
“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” - Psalm 37:21. As Christians, we know that paying our debts is important.
Proverbs 22:26-27 New Century Version (NCV)
Don't promise to pay what someone else owes, and don't guarantee anyone's loan. If you cannot pay the loan, your own bed may be taken right out from under you.
The Bible never says that going into debt is a sin. However, it issues a very stark warning: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender”.
In a broader sense, this proverb could be interpreted as a warning not to discard the boundaries set by prior generations. A modern adage notes that before one takes down a fence, it's important to know why it was put up in the first place.
“I've been trying to reach you about the $100 I lent you. It's important that we discuss this, as I need the money back. Please let me know when you can repay it or if you need to work out a payment plan. Thank you.”
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.
Proverbs 3:27-28 is a very sweeping, broad stroke scripture. It offers quite a bit of instruction. First of all, it says in verse 27 we must not withhold good from our neighbors. The word good here does not mean just being nice in general. The emphasis is on providing tangible goods or material goods for our neighbor.
It's wrong not to repay debts
Psalm 37:21 says, “The wicked borrows but does not pay back.” This doesn't necessarily mean that it's always wrong for a Christian to declare bankruptcy.
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.
Psalms 37:21-22 The Passion Translation (TPT)
They break their promises, borrowing money but never paying it back. The good man returns what he owes with some extra besides. YAHWEH's blessed ones receive the land, but the cursed ones will be cut off with nothing to show for themselves.
Responsibility and Integrity in Paying Debts:
Psalm 37:21 (NIV):”The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.”
Unless the matter also involves violence or an immediate threat there is really not much that the police can do for you if someone owes you money on a loan. More likely, the police will direct you to sue them in court, and depending on the amount you are owed you can file the lawsuit in small claims court.
Talk to them and explain carefully and calmly why you have not been able to make your payments on time. Make sure that you are very honest with them, because after all, they trusted you enough to lend you money. Apologise profusely.
Romans 13:8
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
30 "Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD's; it is holy to the LORD. 30 “One-tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD and must be set apart to him as holy.
Matthew 6:12 in Other Translations
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 12 Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Yes, you can sue someone who owes you money. When someone keeps "forgetting" to pay you or flat out refuses to pay up, the situation can quickly become frustrating. You can take the issue to small claims court and pursue legal action if it falls between the minimum and maximum money thresholds under court rules.
Take Legal Action
The simplest and fastest form of legal action you can take is to file a claim in small claims court. Your case should be straightforward: You'll claim that the other side breached your written agreement by not paying you, and you want the judge to award judgment to you for the entire amount owed.
It's possible to serve jail time if you've failed to pay your federal taxes or make child support payments. You can't go to jail merely for owing credit card, student loan, personal loan or other types of debt, which we'll explain below.
Proverbs 23:10 states, "Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless." This verse admonishes against tampering with established boundaries and taking advantage of those who are vulnerable, particularly orphans.
Proverbs 22:26-27 -- Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?
22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well.