The Bible has a lot to say about debt, speaking both of the dangers of falling into debt and the importance of paying off debts responsibly. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible verses about debt:
Proverbs 22:7 – The borrower is slave to the lender
“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7 ESV)
This verse warns that when we are in debt, we are not fully free but are beholden to our lenders. Debt puts us in a position of servitude that can be difficult to escape from if we are not careful and responsible.
Romans 13:8 – Owe nothing but love
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8 ESV)
Paul advises believers to avoid remaining in debt to others. The only debt we should hold onto is the debt to love one another. Staying free of financial obligation should be a priority for Christians.
Psalm 37:21 – The wicked borrows but does not repay
“The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives.” (Psalm 37:21 ESV)
Here, the Bible contrasts the behavior of the wicked who irresponsibly borrow money without intending to repay with the righteousness of those who generously give of their resources to help others.
Proverbs 3:27-28 – Do not withhold repayment of a debt
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it” — when you have it with you.” (Proverbs 3:27-28 ESV)
These verses instruct us not to avoid repaying a debt when we have the means to pay it back. It is wrong to continue prolonging repayment without good reason if you have the ability to pay back what you owe.
Matthew 5:42 – Give to those who ask
“Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:42 ESV)
Jesus calls his followers to be generous and willing to lend, even if there is risk the money or possessions may not be returned. However, while we are to help meet others’ needs, wisdom is still required to avoid enabling sinful debt.
Psalm 112:5-6 – The righteous lends generously
“It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;
who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved.” (Psalm 112:5-6 ESV)
Here we see that graciously providing loans to help others is a trait of the righteous. However, these loans should still be given in a prudent manner with proper agreements.
Proverbs 17:18 – Don’t make pledges for debts casually
“One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.” (Proverbs 17:18 ESV)
This verse warns against casually making guarantees for other’s debts. We should not thoughtlessly pledge to pay off someone else’s obligation without carefully considering if we are able to follow through.
Proverbs 22:26-27 – Don’t take on debt you can’t pay
“Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?” (Proverbs 22:26-27 ESV)
Taking on debt that we realistically don’t have the means to repay is unwise and dangerous. We should not let ourselves get into a debt trap we cannot get out of.
Romans 13:7 – Pay what you owe
“Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” (Romans 13:7 ESV)
Paul states that paying back obligations is a moral priority. Followers of Christ need to make every effort to pay back all they owe, whether taxes, fees, or any other debt.
Deuteronomy 15:1-2 – Relief for those in need
“At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release. And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not exact it of his neighbor, his brother, because the Lord’s release has been proclaimed.” (Deuteronomy 15:1-2 ESV)
The Old Testament law provided for periodic relief of debt burdens to help those struggling financially. This shows God’s compassion for those overwhelmed with debt due to poverty.
Deuteronomy 28:12, 44 – Blessings and curses regarding debt
“The Lord will open to you his good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands. And you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.” (Deuteronomy 28:12 ESV)
“He shall lend to you, and you shall not lend to him. He shall be the head, and you shall be the tail.” (Deuteronomy 28:44 ESV)
Remaining free of debt is presented as a blessing from God for obedience, while excessive borrowing is a curse for disobedience. Reliance on God enables us to generously lend rather than be dependently indebted.
Exodus 22:25 – Do not charge interest to the poor
“If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him.” (Exodus 22:25 ESV)
The Old Testament law prohibited exploiting the poor by charging interest on loans given to help them pay for basic needs. Followers of God were to provide debt relief to the impoverished.
Proverbs 13:11 – Wealth from haste dwindles
“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.”
(Proverbs 13:11 ESV)
This proverb warns against trying to get rich quick through risky borrowing. Debt taken on without adequate wisdom that does not build wealth sustainably will soon vanish.
Matthew 18:23-35 – Parable of the unforgiving debtor
Jesus tells a parable of a servant who owes his master a huge debt he cannot pay, pleads for mercy, and is forgiven. Yet that servant then refuses to forgive a small debt owed to him by another. Jesus warns we should generously forgive others’ debt since we have been forgiven much.
Proverbs 21:5 – Borrowing leads to poverty
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5 ESV)
Borrowing money to fulfill needs or desires quickly rather than patiently working and saving up can often land us in financial hardship. Debt should be avoided whenever possible.
Psalm 15:5 – The righteous do not charge interest
“[The righteous] 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.” (Psalm 15:5 ESV)
Charging unfair interest to fellow Israelites was prohibited in the law. Loyalty to God should supersede greedy desires for profits from interest on debts.
Proverbs 11:15 – Debt can be unsafe
“Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.” (Proverbs 11:15 ESV)
Pledging as security for another’s loan can often lead to suffering loss when that person defaults. wisdom leads us to avoid pledging for strangers’ debts whenever possible.
Ecclesiastes 5:5 – Keep vows made to God
“It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.” (Ecclesiastes 5:5 ESV)
When we make a promise or commitment to repay a debt, it should be kept as not fulfilling our word is sin. All pledges should be made carefully and upheld faithfully once made.
Proverbs 6:1-5 – Free yourself from debts
“My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger, if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor.
Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber; save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter.” (Proverbs 6:1-5 ESV)
This passage urges immediate and decisive action to get out of debts we should not have entered into in order to regain freedom and avoid ongoing loss and hardship from debt.
James 5:1-6 – Repayment withheld by the rich
“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.” (James 5:1-6 ESV)
James condemns the unrighteous rich who live in self-indulgence and defraud laborers by failing to repay wages owed. Followers of Christ must avoid such exploitation and faithfully repay obligations.
Proverbs 3:9-10 – Honor God with firstfruits
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10 ESV)
Putting God first by repaying him with offerings from what He has given us should take priority over repaying any other debts. This brings blessing and provision to give to creditors.
In summary, the Bible warns of the dangers of debt while calling Christians to avoid unnecessary debt whenever possible. When debts are taken on, they must be repaid quickly and fully. However, those unable to repay because of poverty should be shown mercy and given relief of burdensome interest and debt. Overall, the principles of wise financial stewardship, compassion for those in need, faithful repayment of obligations, and reliance on God rather than debt are emphasized repeatedly throughout Scripture.