Definition and Context:
The term "overcharge" refers to the act of demanding or taking more than what is just or fair, particularly in financial transactions. In a biblical context, overcharging is often associated with greed, dishonesty, and exploitation, which are condemned throughout Scripture. The Bible emphasizes fairness, justice, and integrity in all dealings, reflecting God's character and His expectations for His people.

Biblical References and Principles:

1. Prohibition of Dishonest Gain:
The Bible explicitly warns against dishonest gain and exploitation. In Leviticus 19:35-36 , God commands, "You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. You shall maintain honest scales and weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt." This passage underscores the importance of honesty and fairness in all transactions.

2. Condemnation of Greed:
Greed, which often leads to overcharging, is condemned in Scripture. Proverbs 28:8 states, "He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor." This verse highlights the futility of accumulating wealth through unjust means and the eventual divine justice that favors the righteous.

3. Jesus' Teaching on Fairness:
Jesus addressed issues of fairness and exploitation in His teachings. In Luke 3:13-14 , when tax collectors and soldiers asked John the Baptist what they should do, he replied, "Collect no more than you are authorized... Do not extort money or make false accusations. Be content with your wages." This instruction reflects the broader biblical principle of contentment and fairness.

4. The Example of Zacchaeus:
The account of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10 illustrates the transformation from overcharging to restitution. Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, admitted to defrauding others and pledged to repay four times the amount. Jesus' response, "Today salvation has come to this house," highlights the importance of repentance and restitution in overcoming the sin of overcharging.

5. Old Testament Prophets on Exploitation:
The prophets frequently spoke against economic injustice. In Amos 8:4-6 , the prophet condemns those who "trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land," who "skimp on the measure, boost the price, and cheat with dishonest scales." This passage reflects God's concern for the oppressed and His judgment against those who exploit them.

6. New Testament Warnings:
The New Testament continues to warn against greed and exploitation. In 1 Timothy 6:10 , Paul writes, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." This warning serves as a reminder of the spiritual dangers associated with overcharging and the pursuit of wealth.

Theological Implications:
Overcharging is not merely a financial issue but a spiritual one, reflecting a heart condition contrary to God's will. It reveals a lack of trust in God's provision and a failure to love one's neighbor as oneself. The biblical call to justice, mercy, and humility (Micah 6:8) stands in stark contrast to the practice of overcharging, urging believers to reflect God's righteousness in all aspects of life.1. (v. t.) To charge or load too heavily; to burden; to oppress; to cloy.

2. (v. t.) To fill too full; to crowd.

3. (v. t.) To charge excessively; to charge beyond a fair rate or price.

4. (v. t.) To exaggerate; as, to overcharge a description.

5. (v. i.) To make excessive charges.

6. (n.) An excessive load or burden.

7. (n.) An excessive charge in an account.

OVERCHARGE

o-ver-charj': Luke 21:34, "lest haply your hearts be overcharged with drunkenness" (baruno, "burden," here with the force "be occupied with"); 2 Corinthians 2:5, the King James Version "that I may not overcharge you" (epibareo, "overload"), the Revised Version (British and American) "that I press not too heavily."

See CHARGES.

925. baruno -- overcharge.
... 924, 925. baruno. 926 . overcharge. Transliteration: baruno Phonetic Spelling:
(bar-oo'-no) Short Definition: overcharge. ... overcharge. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/925.htm - 6k

1912. epibareo -- to put a burden on
... From epi and bareo; to be heavy upon, ie (pecuniarily) to be expensive to; figuratively,
to be severe towards -- be chargeable to, overcharge. see GREEK epi. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1912.htm - 7k

Thou Shalt not Steal.
... The same I say also of mechanics, workmen, and day-laborers, who all follow their
wanton notions, and never know enough ways to overcharge people, while they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not steal.htm

And Lead us not into Temptation.
... exerts himself and incites us daily to inchastity, laziness, gluttony and drunkenness,
avarice and deception, to defraud our neighbor and to overcharge him, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/and lead us not into.htm

The Gospel Supper
... adds, "and the cares (the immoderate anxious cares) of this life." For they are
of a distracting, intoxicating nature, and soon overcharge and weigh down the ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the gospel supper.htm

Commerce
... In case of overcharge, or a larger than the lawful profit, a purchaser had the right
of returning the article, or claiming the balance in money, provided he ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 12 commerce.htm

Introduction, by the American Editor.
... have dropped a superfluous interpolation (such as eg, to conclude, or let me say
again,) when I have found that it only served to clog and overcharge a sentence ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/introduction by the american editor.htm

On the Feast of the Nativity, ii.
... And thus the malevolent terms of the deadly compact are annulled, and through
the injustice of an overcharge the whole debt is cancelled. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xxii on the feast.htm

The Heart of Woman; the Necessity of Regulating it During Youth.
... imitate those intelligent gardeners who pay a daily visit to their garden, pruning
knife in hand, and cut off branches that might exhaust or overcharge the tree ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter iii the heart of.htm

Overcharge (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To charge excessively; to charge beyond a fair rate or price. 4. (vt)
To exaggerate; as, to overcharge a description. ...OVERCHARGE. ...
/o/overcharge.htm - 7k

Overcharged (1 Occurrence)

/o/overcharged.htm - 6k

Overcast (1 Occurrence)

/o/overcast.htm - 7k

Grieved (87 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY WBS). 2 Corinthians 2:5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved
me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. (KJV DBY WBS NIV). ...
/g/grieved.htm - 32k

Forge (2 Occurrences)
... reply to his comforters (13:4; compare 14:17); the word is the translation of Taphal,
"to patch," "lay on," "besmear," hence, to impute, overcharge, etc.; in ...
/f/forge.htm - 9k

Forger (1 Occurrence)
... reply to his comforters (13:4; compare 14:17); the word is the translation of Taphal,
"to patch," "lay on," "besmear," hence, to impute, overcharge, etc.; in ...
/f/forger.htm - 7k

Extortion (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The practice of wresting anything by force, by
threats, or by any undue exercise of power; undue exaction; overcharge. ...
/e/extortion.htm - 12k

Burst (33 Occurrences)
... upon, through, etc. 4. (vt) To break or rend by violence, as by an overcharge
or by strain or pressure, esp. from within; to force ...
/b/burst.htm - 17k

Grief (252 Occurrences)
... (DBY). 2 Corinthians 2:5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me,
but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. (KJV WBS NIV). ...
/g/grief.htm - 45k

Should Christians give away all they possess except for basic necessities? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be a godly wife? | GotQuestions.org

Overcharge: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus