The Bible provides guidelines for lending money, advising fairness, kindness, and generosity. It warns against exploiting others and reminds us to lend without expecting repayment. Lending is seen as an act of compassion, with God encouraging a spirit of grace toward those in need.
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What Does The Bible Say About Lending Money
Exodus 22:25
“If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of showing compassion and generosity towards those who are in need. It discourages the practice of charging interest when lending money to the poor, promoting a spirit of helping others without expecting financial gain in return.
By prohibiting the charging of interest, God calls His people to prioritize the well-being of their fellow human beings over personal gain, encouraging a society built on fairness and justice.
Leviticus 25:35-37
“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you. You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit.”
This passage further underscores the principle of lending money without charging interest, extending it even to a brother who has fallen into poverty. It emphasizes the responsibility to care for one another and provide support to those in need within the community.
The focus here is on promoting a culture of assistance and empathy, ensuring the well-being and restoration of the individual rather than exploiting their circumstances for personal gain.
Deuteronomy 15:7-8
“If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of having a compassionate heart towards those who are experiencing financial difficulties. It encourages believers to be open-handed and generous, providing assistance to their brothers and sisters in need.
By lending a helping hand and meeting the need, believers not only demonstrate God’s love and provision but also eradicate the barriers that prevent individuals from experiencing a decent and dignified life.
Psalm 37:26
“He is ever lending generously and his children become a blessing.”
This verse highlights the positive outcomes of lending money with a generous and compassionate heart. It suggests that those who lend in a spirit of generosity and kindness will not only bless others but also experience blessings themselves.
By being open-hearted and willing to lend, believers have the opportunity to participate in bringing about positive change in the lives of others, promoting a cycle of generosity and blessing.
Psalm 112:5
“Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.”
This verse connects lending freely and generosity with experiencing goodness in one’s own life. It emphasizes the importance of conducting financial dealings with justice and fairness.
By approaching lending with a spirit of generosity and justice, believers align themselves with God’s heart and open themselves up to His blessings and favor.
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
This verse highlights the sinfulness of despising or neglecting one’s neighbor. On the contrary, those who are generous towards the poor are considered blessed.
By extending a helping hand to the less fortunate, believers demonstrate love and compassion, embodying God’s heart for the marginalized and becoming recipients of His blessings.
Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.”
This verse portrays lending to the poor as an act of lending to the Lord Himself. It assures believers that God sees their generosity and promises to reward them for their kindness and compassion.
By lending to the poor, believers not only meet practical needs but also invest in eternal treasures, as God faithfully repays their acts of love and generosity.
Proverbs 28:27
“Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.”
This verse contrasts the outcomes of giving to the poor and disregarding their needs. It suggests that those who give to the poor will not lack, while those who ignore their cry for help will experience curses.
By giving to the poor, believers align themselves with God’s heart for justice and compassion, putting themselves in a position to receive His provision and favor.
Isaiah 58:7
“Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?”
This verse highlights the importance of actively helping those in need by providing food, shelter, and clothing. It urges believers not to turn a blind eye to the suffering of their fellow human beings, particularly those within their own community and family.
By sharing their resources with the hungry, homeless, and naked, believers reflect God’s love and care, promoting justice and compassion within society.
Jeremiah 15:10
“Woe to me, my mother, that you bore me, a man of strife and contention to the whole land! I have not lent, nor have I borrowed, yet all of them curse me.”
This verse speaks to the consequences of withholding assistance or refusing to lend to those in need. It portrays the potential isolation and negative perception that can arise from a failure to demonstrate generosity.
By lending to others, believers have the opportunity to break the cycle of strife and contention, promoting harmony and blessing within their communities.
Ezekiel 18:8
“He does not lend at interest or take any profit; withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man.”
This verse highlights the characteristics of a righteous person, one who acts justly and fairly. It includes refraining from lending money with interest and refusing to participate in any unjust practices.
By actively avoiding any form of injustice, believers demonstrate their commitment to God’s principles and contribute to the establishment of a society built on righteousness and integrity.
Matthew 5:42
“Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.”
This verse challenges believers to be open-hearted and willing to help those in need, even if it means giving or lending to them. It encourages a spirit of generosity and compassion without reservation.
By responding to the requests for assistance from others, believers imitate Christ’s selflessness and demonstrate the transformative power of love and kindness.
Luke 6:35
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”
This verse challenges believers to extend their generosity and kindness even to their enemies. It calls for lending without expecting anything in return, mirroring God’s graciousness towards the ungrateful and wicked.
By loving and lending without expecting reciprocity, believers exemplify the character of God and display the transformative power of love in the face of adversity.
Luke 6:38
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
This verse reflects the principle of sowing and reaping. It encourages believers to give generously, assuring them that what they give will be returned to them in abundance.
By faithfully practicing generosity and lending, believers position themselves to receive God’s blessings and experience His abundant provision in their lives.
Luke 23:34
“And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And they cast lots to divide his garments.”
This verse showcases Jesus’ ultimate act of lending with a forgiving heart on the cross. Despite the immense suffering He endured, Jesus still extended forgiveness and pardoned those who crucified Him.
By imitating Christ’s forgiving heart and willingness to lend grace, believers can participate in His redemptive work and extend His love to others in both words and actions.
Romans 12:13
“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
This verse exhorts believers to actively support and aid fellow believers who are in need. It emphasizes the importance of meeting practical needs and showing hospitality, displaying love and care within the community of believers.
By contributing to the needs of other believers, believers fulfill their responsibility to one another and create an environment that fosters unity and mutual support.
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
This verse highlights the attitude behind giving and lending. It emphasizes the need for a willing and joyful heart when extending assistance, rather than giving out of compulsion or obligation.
By giving and lending with a cheerful heart, believers reflect the character of God and experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from being a channel of His blessings.
Galatians 6:2
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
This verse highlights the importance of supporting and assisting one another in times of difficulty. It emphasizes the need for believers to come alongside each other, carrying each other’s burdens and promoting a spirit of unity and compassion.
By lending support to one another, believers practically demonstrate their commitment to following Christ’s example and fulfilling His commandments.
Philippians 2:4
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
This verse encourages believers to have a selfless and others-centered mindset. It advises against selfishness and urges individuals to prioritize the well-being and needs of others alongside their own.
By considering the interests of others, believers actively practice love and generosity, fostering a culture of care and support.
1 Timothy 6:18
“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.”
This verse calls believers to embody generosity and readiness to share with others. It emphasizes the importance of actively doing good works and being abundant in acts of kindness and assistance.
By cultivating a lifestyle of generosity and being willing to share, believers demonstrate God’s love in tangible ways and impact the lives of those around them.
Hebrews 13:16
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
This verse encourages believers not to overlook the opportunities to do good and share with others. It underscores the significance of sacrificial acts of kindness and generosity, which are pleasing to God.
By actively engaging in acts of kindness and sharing what they have, believers worship and please God, reflecting His selfless and giving nature.
James 2:15-16
“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?”
This verse challenges believers to move beyond empty words and superficial gestures when encountering those in need. It emphasizes the importance of providing practical assistance to those who lack basic necessities.
By meeting the physical needs of others, believers demonstrate genuine compassion and love, reflecting the heart of Christ in a world that often values empty words over tangible actions.
1 John 3:17
“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”
This verse challenges believers to examine the condition of their hearts when confronted with the needs of others. It questions the genuineness of their love if they fail to respond compassionately when they have the means to help.
By actively responding to the needs of others, believers demonstrate the presence of God’s love within them and participate in the tangible expression of that love.
Acts 20:35
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
This verse highlights the importance of diligently working and helping those who are weak or in need. It recalls Jesus’ teaching that giving is more blessed than receiving, encouraging believers to follow His example.
By actively working towards meeting the needs of others, believers participate in the blessing of giving and experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from selflessly serving others.