Though not speaking about Bankruptcy directly, the concepts of debt and forgiveness, financial stewardship, and ethical behaviors towards creditors are explored in various parts of the Bible. This considered, with respect to bankruptcy, the Bible presents important perspectives regarding finances, restitution, and ethical conduct which are pivotal to understanding the matter.
What does the Bible tell about debt and forgiveness?
The Bible speaks frequently about debt. Interestingly, while it does not explicitly condemn borrowing or being in debt, it frequently warns against it, associating it with worry, stress, and being enslaved to the person or entity to whom the debt is owed. The Bible also encourages debt forgiveness and generosity towards those who owe debts. The Bible underscores the importance of forgiveness; just as we are forgiven for our transgressions, we should extend the same grace to those indebted to us.
Where does the Bible address financial stewardship?
In discussing bankruptcy, it’s essential to address the Bible’s teachings on financial stewardship as insolvency often arises from poor financial management. The Bible encourages wise and effective management of one’s resources. We are encouraged to be cautious and prudent when it comes to managing what we have. Hard work and diligence are praised, while laziness and wastefulness are discouraged. It is encouraged to save for future needs, avoid unnecessary debts, and invest wisely. All of this can lead to sound financial practices that help avoid bankruptcy.
Why are ethical behaviors towards creditors important according to the Bible?
Bankruptcy is not just a financial issue; it’s an ethical one as well. The Bible’s teachings guide on how to ethically navigate such situations. There is a strong emphasis on integrity, honesty, and fulfilling one’s commitments, including financial ones. This means, if you owe money to a person or entity, it is your moral obligation to repay that debt as agreed. In the case of bankruptcy, this would mean doing everything possible to make right with creditors, for example, selling personal assets or finding additional income sources to pay off debts. Furthermore, Bible’s teachings encourage individuals to be fair and just in their dealings with others, including creditors.
Who can find solace in the teachings of the Bible while going through bankruptcy?
Individuals going through bankruptcy can find comfort and guidance in the teachings of the Bible. It carries wisdom not only regarding how to avoid bankruptcy in the future but also how to cope with the circumstance. The Bible reminds us that while we may go through periods of financial distress, it’s crucial not to lose sight of our faith or moral compass. It offers consolation by reminding us that our worth is not determined by our financial situation, but by our relationship with God. Despite the hardship of bankruptcy, individuals can find strength in the Bible. It portrays a loving God who forgives and provides chances to start anew. Ensuing strength and hope to persevere through financial hardships.
Below is our full list of bible verses on bankruptcy (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Bankruptcy
Deuteronomy 15:1-2
“1 At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release.2 And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD’S release.”
Related Themes: Business
Psalm 37:21
“21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.”
Proverbs 22:7
“7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
Ecclesiastes 5:5
“5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.”
Related Themes: Money
Exodus 22:25-27
“25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.26 If thou at all take thy neighbour’s raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:27 For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.”
Leviticus 25:35-37
“35 And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.36 Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.37 Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.”
Related Themes: Strangers Homelessness Poverty
Ezekiel 18:13
“13 Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.”
Related Themes: Abomination
Leviticus 25:35
“35 And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.”
Related Themes: Strangers Homelessness Poverty
Deuteronomy 23:19-20
“19 Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:20 Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.”
Deuteronomy 15:7-10
“7 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.9 Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.10 Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Money Finances Politics
Luke 6:34-35
“34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Kindness
Romans 13:8
“8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”
Nehemiah 5:11
“11 Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
“5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Related Themes: Frustration Trust Letting Go Faith Life
Leviticus 25:39
“39 And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:”
Related Themes: Business
Exodus 22:25
“25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.”
1 John 1:9
“9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Related Themes: Repentance Forgiveness Bitterness Lust Attitude
Luke 7:42
“42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?”
Deuteronomy 8:11-18
“11 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”
Related Themes: Pride
James 1:5-7
“5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”
Related Themes: Wisdom Education Dating Discernment Doubt
Proverbs 15:22
“22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.”
Related Themes: Dating Frustration Money Business Counseling
Romans 8:1
“1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Related Themes: Lust Criticism Frustration Trespassing Frustration
Deuteronomy 15:5
“5 Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day.”
2 Kings 4:1-7
“1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.”
Proverbs 12:15
“15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”
Psalm 1:1
“1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
Related Themes: Reaping Frustration Reaping What You Sow Bullying Gossip
Proverbs 11:14
“14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.”
Related Themes: Business Guidance Leadership Teamwork Advice
Psalm 15:5
“5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.”
Related Themes: Money
Luke 6:37
“37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:”
Related Themes: Judging Others Forgiveness Criticism Bitterness Justice
Romans 13:7
“7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”
Related Themes: Money Respecting Your Parents Business Money Finances
