What does the Bible say about loaning money to people?
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The Bible teaches that lending should flow from love, generosity, and justice, especially toward those in need, not from a desire to profit from their hardship or control them. Exodus 22:25, Leviticus-like principles reflected in Deuteronomy 23:19-20, and Psalm 15:5 condemn exploiting a needy brother through interest, while Proverbs 19:17 calls generosity to the poor a loan to the Lord. Jesus commands willing-hearted giving in Matthew 5:42 and warns against seeking human praise in Matthew 6:1-4. Though debt can create painful dependence, as Proverbs 22:7 observes, believers should use resources as stewards of God’s grace, giving freely and mercifully, as the early church did in Acts 4:34.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Deuteronomy 23:19-20 12 votes
[19] You shall not lend on interest to your brother; interest of money, interest of food, interest of anything that is lent on interest: [20] to a foreigner you may lend on interest; but to your brother you shall not lend on interest, that Yahweh your God may bless you in all that you put your hand to, in the land where you go in to possess it.
- Matthew 6:1-4 7 votes
[1] "Be careful that you don't do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. [2] Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don't sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most assuredly I tell you, they have received their reward. [3] But when you do merciful deeds, don't let your left hand know what your right hand does, [4] so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
- Luke 6:38 6 votes
"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you."
- Proverbs 19:17 6 votes
He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; He will reward him.
- Matthew 5:42 6 votes
Give to him who asks you, and don't turn away him who desires to borrow from you.
- Exodus 22:25 5 votes
"If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor; neither shall you charge him interest.
- Psalms 15:5 5 votes
He who doesn't lend out his money for usury, Nor take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be shaken.
- Proverbs 22:7 5 votes
The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
- Psalms 112:1-10 5 votes
[1] Praise Yah! Blessed is the man who fears Yahweh, Who delights greatly in his commandments. [2] His seed will be mighty in the land. The generation of the upright will be blessed. [3] Wealth and riches are in his house. His righteousness endures forever. [4] Light dawns in the darkness for the upright, Gracious, merciful, and righteous. [5] It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends. He will maintain his cause in judgment. [6] For he will never be shaken. The righteous will be remembered forever. [7] He will not be afraid of evil news. His heart is steadfast, trusting in Yahweh. [8] His heart is established. He will not be afraid in the end when he sees his adversaries. [9] He has dispersed, he has given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honor. [10] The wicked will see it, and be grieved. He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away. The desire of the wicked will perish.
- Acts 4:34 4 votes
For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
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