Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, creditors are individuals or entities to whom a debt is owed. The Scriptures provide various guidelines and laws concerning the relationship between creditors and debtors, reflecting principles of justice, mercy, and righteousness. These laws are primarily found in the Old Testament, particularly within the Mosaic Law, and they offer insight into the ethical and moral expectations placed upon creditors.Old Testament Laws and Principles 1. Prohibition of Usury: The Mosaic Law explicitly forbids the charging of interest on loans to fellow Israelites. In Exodus 22:25 , it is stated, "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 law underscores the importance of compassion and support within the community, especially towards the impoverished. 2. Sabbath Year and Jubilee: The laws concerning the Sabbath Year and the Year of Jubilee provide additional protections for debtors. Every seventh year, debts were to be released, as described in Deuteronomy 15:1-2 : "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." The Year of Jubilee, occurring every fiftieth year, also involved the release of debts and the return of property (Leviticus 25:10-13). 3. Fair Treatment of Debtors: The law also mandates fair treatment of debtors. In Deuteronomy 24:10-13 , it is instructed, "When you lend anything to your neighbor, do not enter his house to collect security. You are to stand outside while the man to whom you are lending brings the security out to you. If he is a poor man, you must not go to sleep with the security in your possession; be sure to return it to him by sunset so that he may sleep in his own cloak and bless you. And it will be credited to you as righteousness before the LORD your God." This passage emphasizes respect for the dignity and rights of the debtor. 4. Prohibition of Oppression: The prophets often condemned the oppression of the poor by creditors. In Amos 2:6-7 , the prophet rebukes Israel for selling the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, highlighting the exploitation and injustice perpetrated by those in positions of financial power. New Testament Insights While the New Testament does not provide specific legal codes regarding creditors, it reinforces the principles of love, mercy, and forgiveness. Jesus' teachings often emphasize the importance of generosity and the dangers of materialism. In the Lord's Prayer, believers are taught to pray, "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12), illustrating the spiritual dimension of forgiveness and release from debts. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, encourages believers to owe nothing to anyone except the continuing debt to love one another (Romans 13:8). This reflects a shift from legalistic adherence to the law towards a heart-oriented approach that prioritizes love and community well-being. Conclusion The biblical laws and teachings concerning creditors and debtors reveal a divine concern for justice, mercy, and the protection of the vulnerable. These principles continue to inform Christian ethics and the understanding of financial relationships within the faith community. Torrey's Topical Textbook Galatians 5:3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Of the Patience and Vengeance of God, the Worship of Demons, and ... The First victory for Dissent Shakers, or the United Society of Believers. Rationalism and Its Effects The Three Last Parables of the Per??an Series: the Unrighteous ... The Government of India. Chaldaean Civilization Footnotes Resources I am a Christian in debt. What should I do? | GotQuestions.orgIs it right for a church to go into debt? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about lending money? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Creditors were often Defrauded Creditors: God's Claim Upon Men Creditors: Might Demand: Bills or Promissory Notes Creditors: Might Demand: Mortgages on Property Creditors: Might Demand: Pledges Creditors: Might Demand: Security of Others Creditors: Might Take Interest from Strangers Creditors: Often Cruel in Exacting Debts Creditors: Often Exacted Debts by Imprisonment Creditors: Often Exacted Debts by Selling the Debtor or Taking Him for a Servant Creditors: Often Exacted Debts by Selling the Debtor's Family Creditors: Often Exacted Debts by Selling the Debtor's Property Creditors: Often Exacted Debts: from the Sureties Creditors: Prohibited From: Exacting Debts from Brethren During Sabbatical Year Creditors: Prohibited From: Exacting Usury from Brethren Creditors: Prohibited From: Taking Millstones in Pledge Creditors: Prohibited From: Violently Selecting Pledges Creditors: Sometimes Entirely Remitted Debts Creditors: The Demands of the Law Creditors: To Return Before Sunset, Garments Taken in Pledge Related Terms |
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