Debt is a theme found throughout the Bible, providing guidance and teachings on how to manage our financial affairs, taking into consideration not only our own interests but also ethical, moral, and compassionate aspects of debt and lending. The Bible offers wisdom on these matters, helping followers to navigate through life’s financial challenges and not lose sight of their faith and the well-being of their fellow humans.
Who Does the Bible Counsel on Debt?
The Bible offers counsel to everyone regarding debt. From individuals who are contending with personal loans, to entrepreneurs exploring business financing options, and even to leaders devising national economic policies, the wisdom within the Bible is applicable. The Bible offers equal amounts of caution and encouragement: caution about the potential dangers and traps of debt, and encouragement about God’s generous and forgiving nature, even in the face of our financial failings.
What the Bible Says About Incurring Debt
One of the Bible’s main teachings about debt is to avoid it whenever possible. Debt is represented as a form of bondage, a burden that constrains and restrains people. It encourages proactive planning, saving, and living within one’s means to avoid unnecessary debt. Subsequently, being in debt is not viewed as a sin, but rather is recognised as a situation that could potentially lead to stressful circumstances, influencing one’s ability to live a fulfilled, peaceful life. The overarching message is clearly about exercising caution and responsibility when dealing with money matters.
Why the Bible Encourages Compassion in Lending and Borrowing
A prevalent theme seen in the Bible’s teachings on debt is compassion. For lenders, the Bible encourages leniency and understanding, urging them not to exploit those in need but rather help them. Indebted individuals are also advised not to evade their obligations but to strive in paying back what they owe. This moral approach aims to promote a fair financial system, standardising kindness and benefiting society on a large scale.
When Does the Bible Advise Repaying Debt?
The Bible consistently advises honouring debts as promptly as possible. It teaches that a person should pay what they owe, and doing so in a timely manner improves personal integrity and respectability. Waiting or delaying payment without reasonable cause could lead to stress and strained relationships. This biblical advice transcends time and can be helpful in modern day financial management.
Where Do the Biblical Teachings about Debt Lead Us?
The Bible’s teachings about debt ultimately lead to the path of financial autonomy, personal respectability, and social responsibility. By internalising these messages, individuals can become more mindful of their monetary decisions, avoiding the pitfalls of excessive debts, and building stronger, healthier relations with lenders and borrowers alike. These teachings also serve as a reminder that, as much as we navigate through life’s financial landscape, compassion and integrity should remain core values in all our dealings.
What the Bible Says About Forgiveness of Debt
In line with its teachings of compassion and generosity, the Bible also discusses the forgiveness of debt. Lenders are advised to forgive debts, particularly of those who are genuinely unable to repay them. This act of kindness is seen as a reflection of God’s own generosity and compassion. It’s an invitation to replace the cycle of indebtedness with a cycle of graciousness and mutual respect.
Below is our full list of bible verses on debt (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Debt
Proverbs 22:7
“7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
Romans 13:8
“8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”
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
Psalm 37:21
“21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.”
Proverbs 22:26-27
“26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?”
Luke 14:28
“28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”
Related Themes: Money Finances Frustration
1 Timothy 5:8
“8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Respecting Your Parents Children Laziness
Matthew 6:24
“24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Proverbs 13:22
“22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Children Inheritance Grandparents
Proverbs 22:26
“26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.”
Luke 16:11
“11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?”
Related Themes: Money Finances Stewardship Finances Wealth
Matthew 6:33
“33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Philippians 4:6-7
“6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Related Themes: Patience Prayer Loneliness Nervousness Worry
Deuteronomy 28:12
“12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.”
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.”
Matthew 5:42
“42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.”
Related Themes: Money Homelessness Finances Benevolence Serving The Poor
Proverbs 13:11
“11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.”
Luke 16:10
“10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”
Proverbs 21:20
“20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Business Wisdom Stewardship
Hebrews 13:5
“5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Related Themes: Money Loneliness Finances Complaining Greed
1 Corinthians 10:13
“13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Related Themes: Lust Self-Control Addiction Strength Temptation
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 Bankruptcy
Deuteronomy 15:6
“6 For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.”
Ecclesiastes 5:10
“10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Greed Vanity Materialism
Proverbs 11:15
“15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.”
Related Themes: Money
Philippians 4:19
“19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Homelessness Healing Life
Luke 12:59
“59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.”
Colossians 2:14
“14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”
Luke 6:38
“38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Related Themes: Reaping Money Reaping What You Sow Finances Serving Others
Luke 6:30
“30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.”
Related Themes: Giving Respecting Others Kindness
