In the biblical tradition, lending and borrowing are governed by principles of compassion and fairness. Exodus 22:25 and Deuteronomy 23:19 prohibit charging interest to the poor, emphasizing the importance of caring for the vulnerable. The wisdom literature, such as Proverbs 22:7 and Psalms 37:21, cautions against the dangers of debt and the exploitation of others through lending. Jesus' teachings in Luke 6:34-35 encourage generous lending as a mark of Christian character, demonstrating love and kindness towards others. This ethic of lending reflects God's own graciousness and calls believers to prioritize the well-being of their neighbors.
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If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest.
Do not charge your brother interest on money, food, or any other type of loan.
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. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, that your countryman may live among you. You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit.
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
who lends his money without interest and refuses a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Do not charge your brother interest on money, food, or any other type of loan. You may charge a foreigner interest, but not your brother, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything to which you put your hand in the land that you are entering to possess.
No one can serve two masters: 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 both God and money.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.