Many people turn to the Bible for guidance in their lives, but few realize how much it has to say about personal finance. In particular, the Bible has a lot to say about debt. If you’re struggling with debt, or if you’re simply curious about what the Bible has to say on the subject, read on for some guidance.
First and foremost, the Bible makes it clear that debt is a serious matter. In Proverbs 22:7, we read, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” This verse makes it clear that debt puts us in a subservient position to our creditors—a position that is not in line with God’s will for us.
The Bible also teaches us that debt should be avoided whenever possible. In Romans 13:8, we read, “Owe no one anything except to love each other.” This verse tells us that we should avoid indebtedness whenever we can because it puts us in a position of owing something to someone else. Additionally, 1 Timothy 6:10 tells us that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” This verse teaches us that money itself is not evil, but our love of it can lead us into sin. When we’re in debt, we’re more likely to make choices out of desperation instead of wisdom, which can lead us down a path of destruction.
The Bible talks about debt in several places. In Proverbs 22:7, we’re told that “the rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” This verse tells us that when we’re in debt, we’re not really in control of our finances. We’re beholden to our creditors and have to do what they say.
In Romans 13:8, we’re told to “owe no man anything.” This verse is often used to argue that Christians shouldn’t use credit cards or take out loans. But if we read the rest of the verse, we see that it’s talking about being faithful in paying our debts. So this verse is actually teaching us to be responsible with our money and to pay back what we owe.
In Matthew 18:23-35, Jesus tells a parable about a servant who owed his master a large sum of money. The servant pleads for mercy, and the master forgiving his debt. However, the servant then goes out and finds another servant who owes him a smaller amount of money. He grabs him by the throat and demands payment immediately. The other servants plead with him for mercy, but he refuses to listen. Jesus then says that this servant is representative of those who have been forgiven much but refuse to forgive others.
This story teaches us that we need to be compassionate towards others when it comes to debt. Just as our debts have been forgiven, so too should we forgive others who owe us money. We need to show them the same grace that has been shown to us.
Leviticus 25:35-38 says, “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 living among you. You must not lend them money at interest or sell them food at a profit.” These verses make it clear that God does not want us to take advantage of our neighbors or exploit them financially. We are called to help those in need, not line our own pockets.
Deuteronomy 15:6 says, “For the Lord your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you.” This verse tells us that if we follow God’s laws, we will be blessed financially. We will be able to lend money and help others without having to worry about being in debt ourselves.
The Bible has a lot to say about money and debt. In this blog post, we’ve looked at some of the key verses that deal with this topic. We see that the Bible teaches us to be responsible with our money, to pay back what we owe, and to be compassionate towards others who are in debt. As Christians, let’s strive to apply these principles in our own lives so that we can live wisely and manage our finances well.