Topical Bible: Money Lending

Bible > Topical > Money Lending

◄ Money Lending ►

Jump to: Topical • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Money lending, the practice of providing loans with the expectation of repayment with interest, is a topic addressed in various contexts throughout the Bible. The Scriptures provide guidance on the ethical and moral considerations surrounding lending and borrowing, reflecting the values and principles that should govern financial transactions among individuals and communities.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, money lending is often discussed in the context of the Israelites' covenantal relationship with God and their social responsibilities toward one another. The Law of Moses contains specific instructions regarding lending practices, emphasizing fairness and compassion.

Exodus 22:25 states, "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 mercy and support for the impoverished, prohibiting the exploitation of those in financial distress.

Leviticus 25:35-37 further elaborates, "If your brother becomes impoverished and cannot support himself among you, help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you. You must not lend him your money at interest or sell him your food at a profit." These verses highlight the expectation of generosity and the avoidance of usury, particularly within the community of believers.

Deuteronomy 23:19-20 provides additional guidance: "Do not charge your brother interest on money, food, or any other type of loan. You may charge a foreigner interest, but you must not charge your brother interest, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything to which you put your hand in the land you are entering to possess." This passage distinguishes between lending practices among fellow Israelites and those involving foreigners, reflecting a protective stance toward the community.

Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Old Testament also addresses money lending, often warning against the dangers of debt and the moral pitfalls of lending with interest. Proverbs 22:7 observes, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender." This proverb highlights the power dynamics inherent in lending and borrowing, cautioning against the bondage that debt can create.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles continue to emphasize the ethical dimensions of money lending. Jesus' teachings often focus on the broader principles of love, generosity, and the proper use of wealth.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs, "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you" (Matthew 5:42). This teaching encourages a spirit of generosity and willingness to help those in need, reflecting the selfless love that should characterize Christian behavior.

Luke 6:34-35 further expands on this theme: "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 challenges His followers to transcend conventional expectations of reciprocity, advocating for a radical generosity that mirrors God's grace.

Apostolic Guidance

The apostolic writings also address financial ethics, urging believers to act with integrity and compassion. Romans 13:8 advises, "Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." This exhortation emphasizes the primacy of love over financial obligations, encouraging believers to prioritize relational harmony over material concerns.

In summary, the biblical perspective on money lending is deeply rooted in principles of justice, mercy, and love. The Scriptures call for a community-oriented approach to lending, one that seeks to uplift and support rather than exploit or oppress.

Topical Bible Verses

Exodus 22:25
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.
Topicalbible.org

Deuteronomy 23:19
You shall not lend on usury to your brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent on usury:
Topicalbible.org

Proverbs 22:7
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
Topicalbible.org

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.
Topicalbible.org

Library

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 Lawful to Ask for any Other Kind of Consideration ...
... Else if he wishes the gratuitous use of that thing in addition to repayment, it
is the same as if he took money for lending, and that is usury, unless perhaps ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 16.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?
... usury gives the usurer an occasion, not for taking usury, but for lending; it is ...
Reply to Objection 3: If one were to entrust one's money to a usurer lacking ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 17.htm

Jews.
... Cromwell, seeing the benefit which the Netherlands had derived from this money-making
and money-lending community, was very desirous to recall them to England ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/jews.htm

Psalm LV.
... For he that in his house doth any evil thing, however for his evil thing doth blush:
"In the streets thereof usury and deceit." Money-lending [2028] even hath ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lv.htm

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

Forasmuch as Many Enrolled among the Clergy, Following ...
... covetousness and lust of gain, have forgotten the divine Scripture, which says,
"He hath not given his money upon usury," and in lending money ask the ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xvii forasmuch as many.htm

Awake! Awake!
... And you who think there is anything to be got by lending your money at usury will
not be content with lending what you have, but you will be extorting and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/awake awake.htm

On the Third Part of the Psalm.
... it were to give thee for that small sum a great villa, worth incomparably more money
than thou ... Hear what possession He to whom thou hast been lending bestows. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/on the third part of.htm