Lending, in the biblical context, refers to the act of giving something, typically money, to another person with the expectation of repayment. The Bible addresses lending in various passages, providing guidance on how it should be conducted among believers and towards others.

Old Testament Teachings

The Old Testament law contains specific instructions regarding lending, particularly among the Israelites. In Exodus 22:25 , it is written, "If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not be like a moneylender to him; you must not charge him interest." This command underscores the importance of compassion and fairness, especially towards the poor and needy within the community.

Deuteronomy 15:7-8 further emphasizes generosity: "If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs." This passage highlights the expectation of open-handedness and willingness to support those in need.

The concept of the Sabbatical Year, as described in Deuteronomy 15:1-2 , also plays a role in lending practices: "At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite. He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the LORD’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed." This provision ensured that debt did not become a perpetual burden, reflecting God's desire for economic justice and mercy.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, Jesus expands on the principles of lending with a focus on love and selflessness. In Luke 6:34-35 , He teaches, "And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." Here, Jesus calls His followers to a higher standard of generosity, one that mirrors God's grace and kindness.

The Apostle Paul, in Romans 13:8 , writes, "Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." This verse suggests that the only debt believers should carry is the ongoing obligation to love one another, which transcends financial transactions.

Practical Considerations

The biblical perspective on lending encourages believers to act with integrity, compassion, and generosity. While lending is permissible, it should not exploit or oppress the borrower. Proverbs 22:7 warns, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender," highlighting the potential power imbalance in lending relationships.

Believers are encouraged to lend with a spirit of kindness and without expecting repayment, reflecting the character of God. The biblical approach to lending is not merely transactional but relational, aiming to build community and support those in need while maintaining justice and mercy.Proverbs 19:17
He that has pity on the poor lends to the LORD; and that which he has given will he pay him again.
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Luke 6:35
But love you your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil.
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Matthew 5:42
Give to him that asks you, and from him that would borrow of you turn not you away.
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Psalm 112:5
A good man shows favor, and lends: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
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Psalm 37:26
He is ever merciful, and lends; and his seed is blessed.
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Exodus 22:25-27
If you lend money to any of my people that is poor by you, you shall not be to him as an usurer, neither shall you lay on him usury.
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Luke 6:34
And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thank have you? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
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1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Lend.

2. (n.) The act of one who lends.

3. (n.) That which is lent or furnished.

4855. mashsha -- lending on interest, usury
... 4854, 4855. mashsha. 4856 . lending on interest, usury. Transliteration:
mashsha Phonetic Spelling: (mash-shaw') Short Definition: usury. ...
/hebrew/4855.htm - 6k

5383. nashah -- to lend, become a creditor
... root Definition to lend, become a creditor NASB Word Usage creditor (4), creditors
(1), exacting (1), lending (1), lent (2), loaned (1), make (1), make the ...
/hebrew/5383.htm - 6k

Whether it is Lawful to Ask for any Other Kind of Consideration ...
... lent. For everyone may lawfully seek to indemnify himself. Now sometimes
a man suffers loss through lending money. Therefore he ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 16.htm

On the Fast of the Tenth Month, vi.
... that loves money, and wishes to multiply his wealth by immoderate profits, should
rather practise this holy usury and grow rich by such money-lending, in order ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xvii on the fast.htm

Whether it is a Sin to Take Usury for Money Lent?
... said of Himself (Lk.19:23): "At My coming I might have exacted it," ie the money
lent, "with usury." Therefore it is not a sin to take usury for lending money. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is a sin.htm

Whether it is Lawful to Borrow Money under a Condition of Usury?
... Nor is it the usurer's acceptance of usury that pleases him, but his lending,
which is good. Reply to Objection 2: He who borrows ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 17.htm

Excursus on Usury.
... This supposition is supported by the language of the council of Orleans (ad538),
which appears to imply that deacons were not prohibited from lending money at ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on usury.htm

It is Somewhat the Same Argument which You Use against the Pope ...
... or that you were putting your own cover upon Origen's poisoned dish by lending your
majestic eloquence to this translation of his notorious work Peri 'Archon? ...
/.../24 it is somewhat the.htm

Omniscience
... Now, I have no objection to your lending anything else you like, but I have a strong
objection to you lending your ears; I shall be glad if you will keep them ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/omniscience.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... No lending was provided for by the law of Moses except for benevolent purposes,
for no interest was allowed, and all debts were canceled every seventh year. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 4.htm

Of the Discipline and Advantage of Chastity.
... while you exhibit it; and in its exercise you set forth its more abundant praises,
being made its ornament, while it also is yours, each lending and borrowing ...
/.../of the discipline and advantage.htm

1861-1869. Prayer of Hon. And Rev. Baptist Noel --Residence in ...
... power. She had established evening schools, lending libraries and
coffee-sheds, and of these and further efforts she wrote:". "Second ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter i 1861-1869 prayer of.htm

Lending (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lending (4 Occurrences). ... (See NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 37:26
All the day he is gracious and lending, And his seed 'is' for a blessing. ...
/l/lending.htm - 7k

Loan (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A loaning. 2. (n.) The act of lending; a lending;
permission to use; as, the loan of a book, money, services. ...
/l/loan.htm - 16k

Lend (21 Occurrences)
... 2. History of Lending in the Bible and Apocrypha: (1) Lending on interest
to the poor is prohibited in the code in Exodus 22:25. ...
/l/lend.htm - 18k

Interest (35 Occurrences)
... The Hebrew word neshekh is from a root which means "to bite"; thus interest is
"something bitten off." The other word, mashsa', means "lending on interest ...
/i/interest.htm - 21k

Banking
... 1. Introductory: "Banking" in the full modern sense, of taking money on deposit
and lending it out on interest, is of comparatively recent origin. ...
/b/banking.htm - 13k

Bank (28 Occurrences)
... 1. Introductory: "Banking" in the full modern sense, of taking money on deposit
and lending it out on interest, is of comparatively recent origin. ...
/b/bank.htm - 26k

Debt (48 Occurrences)
... The Mosaic law encouraged the practice of lending (Deuteronomy 15:7; Psalm 37:26;
Matthew 5:42); but it forbade the exaction of interest except from foreigners ...
/d/debt.htm - 28k

Kenath (2 Occurrences)
... the plateau above the modern village, there is a striking collection of Roman and
Christian remains, the shapely forms of many columns lending distinction to ...
/k/kenath.htm - 8k

Usury (17 Occurrences)
... 5:7, 10). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) The practice of lending money
at an excessive rate of interest. 2. (vt) Interest in ...
/u/usury.htm - 15k

Lendeth (4 Occurrences)

/l/lendeth.htm - 7k

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