A few months ago I wrote a post that discussed the topic of whether or not Christians should use debt, and whether or not it was a sin to use debt. The conclusion I came to in that post was that the Bible frowns upon debt and warns of the dangers of debt, but that it doesn’t necessarily say you should never use debt.
In the comments on that post another related topic came up. The question was whether or not Christians should ever lend money, and if they do, whether or not they should charge interest.
This is a topic that I’ve looked into a bit over the past couple of years because as you know I’ve been investing in Lending Club for the past few years. With Lending Club you’re essentially lending money to other people, with an interest rate associated with your loans.
So today I thought I’d talk about Christians and lending, and whether I believe it’s OK for a Christian to lend.
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Doesn’t The Bible Say That The Borrower Is Slave To The Lender?
I think a lot of people’s first reaction to the question “should Christians lend money”, is that Christians should not in fact lend money. After all, there are a lot of verses in the Bible warning us of the dangers of debt.
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. Proverbs 22:7
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:24
Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. Proverbs 22:26-27
It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Ecclesiastes 5:5
These verses are only the beginning, we’re warned about the dangers of debt time and again. The thing is, the Bible doesn’t say that debt is a sin, or that you should never lend. In fact there are verses that talk about lending money and receiving interest in a positive light.
Lending Money Can Be A Blessing
In the Bible there are multiple references to people lending money or giving money, and it is shown that it can be a great blessing in many cases.
Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. Matthew 25:27
Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. Deuteronomy 15:8
They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. Psalm 37:26
It is well with the man who is gracious and lends; he will maintain his cause in judgment. Psalm 112:5
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. Luke 6:34
While the Bible does speak of lending money in a positive light, it also gives warning to not lend at interest to those who are poor or who are unable to repay. It speaks of lending freely, but it warns us against being greedy, and exhorts us to act with justice.
I think that we also need to take into account how times have changed, and how borrowers have much more protection under the law today. In ancient times being in debt and not repaying could lead to becoming a slave, or completely having your freedom taken away from you. It wasn’t a pretty picture. In modern times borrowers have many more protections under the law, which mean that they won’t end up being a literal slave, not be able to eat, or be taken advantage of without any legal recourse.
Lending With The Wrong Heart
I think the problem for Christians with lending and earning interest comes in when we are lending money with the wrong heart, and we’re not lending to help people or improve their situation, but we’re being greedy and taking advantage. In other words, we’re not acting out of compassion or to be a blessing, but simply thinking about the money.
Multiple verses talk about not taking advantage of the poor or less fortunate when lending.
“‘If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you. Do not take interest or any profit from them, but fear your God, so that they may continue to live among you. You must not lend them money at interest or sell them food at a profit. Leviticus 25:35–37
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36
If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, you are not to act as a creditor to him; you shall not charge him interest. Exodus 22:25
I think that we all need to be careful about the lures of money, and examine our hearts to ensure that we’re not lending money for the wrong reasons, and that we’re not setting our hearts on the interest that we might be earning.
Making Sure Lending Comes From The Right Place
When lending money I think it’s important to consider whether you’re being a blessing, or if you’re doing something that isn’t helpful in the end. Some questions you can ask your self to make sure you’re acting from a good place:
- Is the loan reasonable? Is the interest rate out of line, or is it better or equal to what someone might get elsewhere?
- What are the terms of the loan? Are the terms reasonable, and do they give rights to both borrower and lender?
- Is the need worth the loan? Is the loan being sought for an item or need that is worth borrowing for?
- Is the amount being borrowed excessive?
- Is the borrower able or likely to repay? Will this improve their situation?
Of course I think it’s also important to be in relationship with Jesus Christ on a daily basis by being in His word, and praying about the decisions you’re making. If you’re not properly grounded in your faith you’re much more likely to act in ways that you shouldn’t.
With all that said, I do believe it is possible for a Christian to lend money, earn interest and still be a blessing to others through their loan.
So what are your thoughts? Do you think that Christians should lend money? Should they charge interest?
I’ve been using LendingClub as well and have a high percentage earning (over 10%). I also lose a lot of interest due to loans going bad. I don’t look at why people state they need the money, but just lend to the highest interest rate option. It seems to me that if we want to give purpose to our lending and with the right heart, we have to evaluate each loan we invest in. Seems like microlending sites like MicroPlace and Kiva are better aligned with Christian values as the interest rate is low and they go to individuals in mostly other countries that are in need.
I sometimes think the interest I earn from LC could be repurposed for Christian goals, but I also think what damage that may bring to the borrower.
I believe if you have the money to lend, then just give it to them from the kindness of your heart instead of a loan. Even if lending money is with good intention, in most instances, lending money changes the relationship.
Totally AGREE with you!!!
We sold a house as a contract for deed a couple of years back. As part of the agreement, they paid a lump sum up front, made payments for 3 years (with interest), and then made a balloon payment at the end. They were the ones that asked if we would be willing to do a sale this way (as their current cash was tied up in rental properties they had), they came up with the terms and presented us with the offer. At that point, I was ok with moving forward with it knowing that they were ok with it since they presented it to us. The interest rate they proposed to us gave us a little additional income that made it worth taking the risk vs. doing a traditional sale (and they knew that, which is why they offered it to sweeten the deal). In the end, the buyers paid off the loan almost a year early and all went well.
I agree with Robert if it is smaller sums of money, you should loan out of the kindness of your heart and not charge interest. However, I was ok with the interest in this case since it was on a larger scale (and we didn’t have the money to just loan it to them outright).
I am a government employee a christian and believer that God will work mightily and do great things in our lives and our church. One of our concern is to reach out the children for Christ and one of the strategy is to build a school from pre-school, grade school then we need to have a secondary so that the children will be molded in the christian environment. To start we pledge but then we need more fund, we leaders tried to borrow from local investors. I am a member of a cooperative, while our loan application is in process and in order to continue the construction, I borrowed from the cooperative with the condition that when the loan will be released we will pay for it. Months have passed and our loan was denied, now I suffer for the interest and penalties. I am confident that my God will help me out of this debt but as to how i do not know.Sometimes I thought that what we do is wrong and ask God for forgiveness. Can i get financial help from fellow christians who love God? maybe there are.
International Christians united for thriving economically . is a organization that teach finance and help people to get out of poverty. give money interest free
Where do they get their money that they lend? We should not encourage a spirit of a free meal or idleness. “if a man will not work, he shall not eat.”2Thess.3:10. This dependence spirit has killed some societies who believe being given freely is their right. Helping the poor should be done by capacitating them to catch the fish for themselves
Amen. Everything should be evaluated and looked at thoroughly. All of these answers are correct. I believe Godly motives and sound wisdom will lead us to the right decision
While i read all that is posted in this site, I learned lot of lessons if only i read this before i will not be in this mess.
Proverbs 11:25-31. Christ’s grace is sufficient for me to do whatever God requires, and no interest don’t work for me.
Isaiah 55: You who are hungry and have no money, come, buy and eat!
Jct: They’re not giving it away, Isaiah is lending you the money to buy and eat but expects for you to try to pay it back or he’d have given it to you.
Thomas 95: Jesus said: If you have money, do not lend it out at interest.
Jct: One would think the issues are resolved. But Thomas was deleted from the Bible by priests who knew better than Jesus, so you decide whether Jesus was right that inflicting a usurious mort-gage death-gamble on your neighbor forcing him to pay 11 when he only got 10 is not okay or whether the priests of the new edition were right.
Thomas book is not his real book . Most book taken out of the Bible were because the Catholic Church add them to confuse us. And some book like the book of Enoch it clearly says that it was written for the last generation. So it couldn’t be part of the bible
I find it amazing that there can be misunderstandings about this. It just shows how profoundly our thinking has been corrupted by the money lenders.
The Bible is clear: do not lend at interest.
Lend freely, expecting nothing in return said Jesus in Luke 6:35.
When putting your money in the bank & getting interest on it.
Is this right for Christians to do
No ofcourse not. Interest is evil. Simple. It is stolen wealth.
I agree totally with you. Well said.
You can make the Bible say whatever you want if you apply human reasoning. It’s very black and white. Any interest you receive if any kind is not in line with what the Bible teaches.
Great post! I had not thought of debt this way!
This is a great post and I think you point out several verses that make it clear that Christ’s people should not lend with interest. Peter this blog is great thanks for staying consistent for so long.
If this is the way of putting up a business how many interest will i give?? 9% is ok?
I lend money with interest at 10%. The rationale behind this is, I give to God 1 tenth of my earning and do not want to ask for more. Usually, private lenders charge at a high rate, they consider the risk involve and others are just taking advantage of those in need.
I checked with God before I started my business and I do not see anything wrong with that. Setting up a lending business is different from when you’re a rich person and people come to you to borrow. Once it is a business, then it is run differently and the people coming to you already know that you run a business not charity. Oh well, that’s why we have target customers right? You do not just give to anybody that comes. They have to meet the requirements as per; can they pay back at ease? And the likes. This all depends on your customer segmentation. There is no difference between money business and other businesses if you ask me. I am selling money to make interest same way the fruit seller sales to make profit. You are simply putting into use what you have to gain interest for sustenance and continuity. You see this in the Parable of the Talents (matt. 25:14-30).
Hi Judith
I am also in that business, I thought God won’t accept my offering or tithe, I felt it is a sinful income, and at times I feel I am robbing God, thanks for supporting my conscience.
Why seems lending so wrong? How is that different from selling something and putting some margin on it? Lending with aggreable interest is not bad.
my thinking too. Here i see money as commodity just like oil,furniture,computers etc.
If it says it in the bible then it doesnt matter what we think. Its repeated many times over that Usury (which interest falls under) is evil and it is a sin. If the Muslims can avoid it then why cant Christians?
well in fact selling an item profits more than a lender. The lender only has 10% profit while a seller of something earn as much as 50%..
Because selling with margin there is actually goods you are selling, people working, economy helped. While trading money for money is just rich people getting richer, poor people getting more poor and no economy involved. It is not even close.
Absolutely true. I do agree with you. For some its not ok to lend with interest but its very fine to them to buy goods with additional rate on it… Lets think about it.. Anyway, its all about the motive of our hearts and mind why someone lend with an interest (agreeable ? interest) …
No person should lend money on interest to needy n poor people. If He/She want to do business in interest then he/she should lend the money to the businessmen and earn the interest up to that rate which is prevailing in Banks. When business prosperous all the people rich n poor are benefited indirectly. Giving the money on heavy interest isn’t helpful in the end.
May be lending money on Interest to business men might make sense, but in the case of poor I don’t think so…
Suppose I have few dollars, then instead of lending to someone in need I decided to go buy a laptop, add margin and resale to someone in need who has cash, how will that be of different with someone taking money and charge interest to someone who need to buy a laptop but do not have cash at the time?
Ezekiel 18:13 Lends at interest, and takes profit; shall he then live? He shall not live. He has done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon himself.
How does this verse NOT explicitly prohibit lending at interest?? It seems that many Christians (not all, but certainly a good portion) go on and on about how God prohibits homosexuality or even birth control (which there really is no verse that explicitly prohibits birth control) based on a few, very contextual verses, but when it comes to usury, justify it claiming that all prohibitions against usury should be taken in historical context. Usury is condemned more than homosexuality, abortion, divorce. It is also condemned not just by old testament law or early members of the church but by Jesus himself. I think the really scary truth is 1) very few, even of the most radical, Christians has actually read the entire bible 2) there really is not a ton of interest among christians to really sacrifice convenience or comfort to follow Christ. You can’t have it both ways–either the bible is a literal text and you need to follow all the proscriptions or the Bible is a contextual text. If the latter is true, then in order to avoid massive hypocrisy individuals need to have a framework with which to approach the Bible–that is which parts are contextual/negotiable and which parts aren’t–and that framework can NOT be choosing the parts that are easy. For example, it may be valid to give Christ’s words more weight than either old testament prophets or his followers. That would actually make sense. However, if that were true, then homosexuality isn’t really a problem, but usury still is. I’m just floored that people can take a moral stance against homosexuality but lend and borrow at interest without batting an eye. Is there any out there who can offer a thoughtful explanation of this phenomena?
Everything you said is so visible to me as well. I have a question regarding lending.
My church is taking pledges so we can get into another building. The church has about 400 thousand from a property they sold. They are trying to buy a building that’s worth 5 million.
I’m order to do this they would need a loan should they borrow from the banks or from church members with no interest? Thank you for your time
That is why before lending money to others, make sure to ask what is the purpose for his loan? If it is for the betterment of his life such as for business, house improvement, education, health treatment etc…. Well it is ok to ask for an interest. First of all you help him to improve his quality of life and he gains a lot from your money. So it is just right to ask for an interest.
But if for non sense pursoses like vices, it is not ok to lend money.
That is why banks always ask for the purpose and evaluate for the capacity to pay.
If poor people ask to lend money, dont lend them but rather give them according to your heart and dont expect for the repayment.
This just sums it all up.
God bless you!
Yes, a lender will defend his or her act. But there are good numbers of verses from Holy Bible that speak against it, for instance Psalms 15v5 mentioned it that those that lend without interest are among those that shall never be moved. Ezekiel 22:12 also backed up the fact that giving loan on interest is not Biblical, Exodus 22:25 also confirmed that fact as well.
In my own opinion, a Christian can lend to someone in need but not with interest. A man come to borrow because he is not having then you increase his problems by loaning to him with interest. God frown at it, so we his children should also do same.
How about the mortgage interest on your home? Is this somehow being on the disadvantage side of usury? Understood you signed for it but the term is just ridiculously difficult to some.
I was going to put my money and gain interest but then one of these verses came into my mind and I think its hard for me to take an interest even if its a good business in general. I am still thinking about it but when I was going to do it, I didn’t feel peace and I started to praý. After the prayer I couldn’t do it.
Ps. 15:5 His silver he hath not given in usury, And a bribe against the innocent Hath not taken; Whoso is doing these is not moved to the age!
Hes 18:8 In usury he doth not give, and increase taketh not, From perversity he turneth back his hand, True judgment he doth between man and man.
Hes.18:13 13 In usury he hath given, and increase taken, And he liveth: he doth not live, All these abominations he hath done, He doth surely die, his blood is on him.
if someone ‘s work or business is about lending money, what he/she must do??? Must they give out their capital and get it back the same way? I think it’s about agreement: if someone ask for loan and agree to a certain interest, the two lender and borrower are clean before G-d, but one comes after and change the agreement tans increase the amount that’s where the problem comes!
On the other hand, a lender may consider the state of the person who needs help and realizes that he/she doesn’t qualify or can’t pay back but the one in need will insist in tears and pain, giving such a person a loan though he will pay it back i think you have helped that person in G-d’s sight!!!
Exactly!!!
Money matters are such an important issue that Jesus compared God and money. Well, money is nothing before God, but at least this is the way the world functions, people serve money and not God or money first then God.
It is clearly reflected in these statement:
“You cannot serve God and Money”
“Where your treasure is there your heart is” the list can go on..
Because human heart dwells where money dwells, the subject of money has become a sensitive issue. Whether we discuss about lending or giving towards ministry etc. People like to be quiet over the subject of money. Giving out or giving (returning) back is difficult.
But Jesus makes it clear that you cannot serve both God and money; but we need to see how we can serve God with money.
Now, bible doesn’t have a tailored answers for every question. The subject is definitely within the purview of the scriptures. There are broader guidelines already given for us, we just need the wisdom to correctly apply it.
My opinion based on the scriptures are as follows:
1. Christians are called to walk in love. And love doesn’t harm anyone. Hence, we need to ask ourselves, whether our giving out is helping or harming the borrower?
2. What is my intention or the motive? It is to help or simply profit? Are we taking to take advantage of someone else’s need. If the motive is wrong, the point 1 above becomes irrelevant.
3. Charging interest in itself is not wrong. In the law of Moses God’s concern was poor people and not the rich. Poor borrowed for their basic needs and borrowing with interests would destroy them. However, they were free to lend at interest to non-Israelite. (Leviticus 25:35-37). How can charging interest be okay with strangers and not so okay with Israelite? Hence, charging interest in itself is not the problem but how your actions impacts the poor. The context of interests on lending in the old testament was to protect the poor, marginalized, those already vulnerable (in our modern vocabulary)
4. Bible is balanced book. No one lends without a borrower. We are called to exercise grace to the borrower. We are told to give to one who begs or borrows? Jesus makes, no mention of why people borrow? Usually, the generic understanding of borrowing in historical context is due to poverty and meet their immediate needs. But, well why would one borrow in the first place? Some of them are as follows:
1. Meet basic need for survival.
2. To meet self, family needs etc other than for basic needs, like: treatment, health etc..
3. A Competitive attitude – they want to have all that others have… materialistic mind.
4. To run a business and earn profit etc
Should we exact interest for #1? I would advise, please lend without interest. No one borrows in such case unless in extreme poverty. Be a blessing. Exercise grace enough not to demand it back it either.
What about #2? If the person is poor, I would advise lend without interest. If the person is capable enough to repay, I see it is okay with mutual consent. Again, it should help the person and not destroy.
What about #3? Don’t lend. Mostly, those who borrow from us are not strangers but known people. Don’t lend people fulfill their gratification, when you know it is only going to destroy the persons life and his/her family.
What about #4? If the person is borrowing for a business to make profit, I feel, it is perfectly okay to share in the profit.
You need to understand, lending doesn’t always help a person. It might even destroy him, but habituating him to live on loans, gratify his materialistic pleasures.
5. Bible is balanced. While we are to graciously give to one who wants to borrow but at the same time bible also tells us that we should not owe anything to anyone except to love.
Continuation:
Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. (Rom 13:7-8)
In other words, Christians should not keep debts. The issue is that, that we expect others to freely give to us without realizing our responsibility to repay it. The issue isn’t whether the other person is expecting back or not but our responsibility to pay or give it back.
Luke 6:29 Jesus taught us to give your tunic if one asks for cloak.
Exodus 22:27: “If you ever take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, you are to return it to him before the sun sets, for that is his only covering; it is his cloak for his body. What else shall he sleep in? And it shall come about that when he cries out to Me, I will hear him, for I am gracious.
Exodus 22:14 “If anyone borrows an animal from their neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, they must make restitution.
In other words, we need to repay back.
Proverbs 3:27-28 Applies both way – if it is in your power to lend, please do so… and when it is your power to repay, please do so.
Romans 3:10 Love destroys no one, hence our action should not be that of destroying one. So, lending always build, it can destroy too – vice versa.
Conclusion:
The main driving force of the Law of Moses of “Love”. Love for God and man. Jesus said, upon this commandment both the law and the prophets was hanging.
The new testament hangs on the same principle that is “love”… Love does no ones harm.. and same applies here, how can we show the love without harming. If our giving is helping rather than harming we should not hesitate. But know, lending is not always helping.
He says to give freely! It’s an abomination in and of itself, and God has nothing to do with it! The very act of Lending moneyand acquiring interest is sinful and self seeking!
It in slaves the individual and keeps that person from being able to move freely in the will of God! He says owe no man anything! You are using god as a means for self benefit and for justification of sin! May God have mercy on your souls
Instead of chating and collecting ideas from other, we better read the Bible and do what God tells what to do and what not to do. That’s all!! lets not waste our precious time. Do whatever it is good before death catch you.
Giving a loan to another person is a tricky matter. The amount of loan is also important. A thought always comes to the mind of the lender, whether the borrower would return the amount back, as promised. The track record of the borrower is also important. Some people spend money beyond their earning capacity or savings. They are ‘habitual borrowers’. Such people usually talk in a very convincing way. So, lending money to such persons is not a wise act. It is best to turn down their request with a polite, but firm ‘no’. If there is a case, where the need of the person is genuine and the said person has a good reputation in financial matters, then the request can be favorably considered. As far as possible, poor people should be helped financially, so that they too can enjoy a few comforts in life. Moreover, they should not be forced to return the loan, if they are genuinely not in a position to do so. In such a case, the loan should be ‘written off’, if possible. As a Christian Believer, I should have a strong faith that God will make good the loss. I personally think, that if I consider myself to be a follower of Jesus Christ, then I should not charge interest on the loan amount from a poor person, because this is prohibited in The Bible.
I believe, lending to business owners whom able to utilize them to generate more income would be a blessing. Here, they would make more profits by using our money as capital or cash flow to accomplish their projects.
Lending to working people I would say that it should not be charged interest, but we could ask them to repay the same amount in some breakdowns.
My sister and my elderly mom have been living together for yrs. in a home where MOLD was recently found and the landlord has terminated the contract, not remedied the problem but did give them 2 mo rent free, in a MOLD infested house! However my nephew, my sisters son has offered them to live in a very small trailer, very small in the country and is charging them an amount that is absolutely absurd!! While he is not “lending with usury” he is in my opinion just or more guilty as though he were… your thoughts.
What I think is condition matters. But on the other hand, the answer must be on one target, so, lending money with an interest is not the good idea, because not even a single Biblical reference encouraged to do so. And practically, the poor who borrows money gets emotionally pain for repaying the amount with an interest. Finally, my suggestion is be kind and do kind, for there is a blessing from God.
Debt is a curse. Debt means living in bondage. A true Christian is debt free. A true Christian is a lender not borrower. A true Christian waits upon the Lord from where comes his help.
I love the way you have put time and thought about this. I would like to quote 2 Timothy 4:3 ‘For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but will having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions….’ so I believe that we should be more careful.
God’s word is simple and not complicated, so when we read Luke 6:34,35 the word clearly encourages us to lend but not to charge interest at any rate. Even in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 23:19-20) God discourages his men not to charge interest to any of his brothers.
So in short I believe that we can lend money but God expects us not to charge any interest.
Praise God.
The complexities of lending today did not exist back then. A business agreement to pay a set ablmount back for capital today is not the same thing. Are you beating your wife? Eating shrimp?
I am in the business I packed up because the person that brought me to the lord says its a sin I now have job and I want to go back because I can’t leave my family hungry my wife has began to disrespect me because she’s hungry
When it comes down to a person to person loan, this would definitely fall into the category (without interest). Lending club is a business. The borrowers will borrow with or without you, so to give money to LC to earn interest isn’t bad.
What interest rates does lending club offer borrowers?
Please give me an example of the lowest and the highest you’ve heard/seen.
What it also comes down to is what’s the going rate for the money, how bad do they need it, what do they need it for, will they be able to help themselves with it and not have a problem paying it back on time?
Regarding your comment of, “With all that said, I do believe it is possible for a Christian to lend money, earn interest and still be a blessing to others through their loan.” I mean yea it is possible for a Christian to do any humanly job, like to charge interest on a loan, but I mean,… and I could be wrong, but also, it isn’t your job to interrupt the books writings to justify your or societies actions. For example, going to war and killing people is a sin, now we can justify it however we like, but at the end of the day that is one of the 10 commandments. Just be honest to yourself about your sins. I don’t think all sins are equal, but that doesn’t disqualify them as a sin.
I won’t say it is wrong, but I would personally just want to give a gift. However, I’ve heard that it makes people feel more self-respect to take a loan rather than what they might think is charity.
Any kinds of money can be earned except the money that harms the world and the people. Sinner of such will definitely be severely punished both here and the hereafter and their sin-money turned into dust and ashes.
Here is a great resource of info. And what aobut Matthew 25:14-30
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/teaching-your-kids-about-money/
Hey good afternoon everyone,
This has been on my mind for a awhile about lending money. The bible says we should not loan at interest and be ready to assist the poor.
I want to start a POS Loan company. Where we loan individuals small amounts of money to purchase items online or in retailers. We do not charge interest or fees ever to the consumer BUT rather charge the business for using our services to help procure more sales.
Can someone tell whether or not this should be frowned upon as a Christian in their eyes.
Thanks
We, as Jesus followers, should not loan and expect interest!!!
What I would like to know is…
Should we loan money and expect even that same amount back?
Or should we loan and not expect anything in return? – This is what I read in the Bible, but then there’s verses that imply that we can loan just not earn interest, therefore expecting that same loan amount back.
I have loaned money to someone I know and the agreement (gentleman’s agreement) was that they’d pay me back in a month or 2 when they had expected money to come in. Yet, since loaning them the money they have not once brought the matter up of repayment.
(I took money from my credit card to help, and they’re aware of this – I am merely stating that I didn’t really have the money to loan in the first place, but felt I could help)
And now I struggle whether to ask them about this or not…?
Should I not expect them to pay me back at all?
There are really two questions here A) Should a Christian lend money and if so when? and B) should interest be charged (at all or to a fellow Christian?)
The article is somewhat a mixture of these questions but seems to omit some verses of significance with regards to charging interest:
Deuteronomy 23:19 ESV
“You shall not charge interest on loans to your brother, interest on money, interest on food, interest on anything that is lent for interest.
Psalm 15:5 ESV /
Who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.
It would be great to have some further clarity on what seems a clear prohibition on charging interest at least in some circumstances. I recognize that this was specific instructions to the Israelite nation in the Old Testament but why would it not also be applicable to those grafted in as brothers in Christ?
In my opinion we should not and as a true Christian we all now the dangers of lending money with known interest is not pleasing in God’s sight only satan is trying to male it look good these days and age so he can bind people to love money. Don’t follow your heart cause I followed my heart but It lead me to sin only follow the word of God it will lead you to Jesus.
Hi everyone, I’m looking for some
Guidance on this topic. Recently I have had several people requesting to lend money from me. One of these is a friend and, while it’s made me feel uncomfortable to lend them the money, I have done so and they have always paid me back. This person regularly asks for money and the amounts are usually between £5-£30. This person doesn’t use the money in a way that I would consider wise. For example, the person asked for £8 last night for one meal, presumably a takeaway given the value. If it was me in this scenario with little money and having borrowed money from another person, I would use that money to buy several, more reasonably priced meals. The person’s intention was then to borrow some more money the next day to pay for food. The person asked to borrow more money so that they could go shopping at midday rather than at 2.30 (when they were due to be paid from work). Again, if this were me, I would wait for 2.30 and go shopping then rather than borrow more money so that I can go shopping a few hours earlier. There is also the added complication that this person is an alcoholic and I worry that, by lending them money, I am facilitating him to buy more alcohol. I do not know much about addiction and do not know the best way to help. The person suffered significant abuse as a child also and I have helped them to find a counselling service which they are going to refer themselves. I want to be a good Christian and I don’t want to be too focused on money but, also, I don’t earn that much money myself (though it is more than enough to get by). What do you think?
Things are different today, but God’s word is always the same. I feel a bias and feel as if you are justifying yourself belonging to a lending club. It’s the same as when people say they don’t gamble but justify investing in the stock market.
It is not only okay to lend money. It is part of the blessing of God to lend money. Deuteronomy 28:12. It actually sounds like a command that you shall lend to many nations and you shall not borrow. Lending money is one way to safeguard and multiply the blessing of God on you. Knowing the right principles of lending will help you know how to give in line with God’s heart. When dealing with a poor person that cannot pay, we are told not to charge interest. However, when someone is able to pay back with the interest for example in case of a business loan, etc, then charging interest is important for you. Rember, it is only when we give the poor that we are lending to the Lord. In other situations, charging interest will keep the income flowing in so that you may be able to help more people and not be found in a situation where you too have to borrow.
It is so frustrating to me to see people take the Bible out of the context in which it was written and try to apply to a time, economy, situation which was nonexistent nor could be fathomed when it was written. In any “Christian” conversation about money, lending, and borrowing, I know that almost immediately Proverbs 22:17 will be flung out there like a dagger to quell any further discussion and salve the conscience of the Christian who loves his money and cannot stand the thought of parting with it. The book of Proverbs is a collection of short pithy sayings which convey a generally applicable truth and songs which were collected mostly by King Solomon. It was written 700 -1,000 years before the birth of Christ. In that time money had not been invented as we know it. It was an agrarian society where goods, food, and animals were traded. So, debt was of a different nature than it is today. When a man was unable to pay the debt back when agreed upon, he actually became a slave to the lender. That is, he had to leave his home, live in the slave quarters, and do manual labor. THIS is what the Proverb is saying. It is further imperative to note that in Leviticus and Deuteronomy and in other places throughout both the old and the new testaments Christians are directly instructed we are to take care of our families in need. Leviticus states that you are to bring your brother in need into your house and feed and clothe him and his family. In the New Testament Paul says that the person who does not help his family who are in need, he is sinning. And ultimately Jesus tells us in Matthew 25 that those who did not help with food, clothing, water… They will be thrown into the lake of fire. There is no equivocation here. We are to give. And we are told that when we do give, it is as if we are giving to the Lord and since it is God who makes rich and poor for no other reason than his glory (do not ever say that someone is poor because of sin!) He will give back what you gave to the poor. Please stop the bible twisting.