What does the Bible say about paying debts?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that God’s people should faithfully pay what they owe, avoid enslaving debt, and live with integrity, generosity, and trust in God rather than money. Psalm 37:21 contrasts the wicked borrower who does not repay with the righteous who are generous. Romans 13:7-8 calls Christians to render every due obligation and to owe no one anything except the continuing debt of love. Proverbs 22:7, 26-27 warns that debt can bring bondage and loss, urging wise restraint in borrowing and pledging. Ecclesiastes 5:5 commends keeping vows, while James 5:4 condemns withholding rightful wages. Yet Christ also calls believers to openhanded mercy toward those in genuine need, as Matthew 5:42 teaches.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Psalms 37:21 8 votes
The wicked borrow, and don't pay back, But the righteous give generously.
- Romans 13:8 7 votes
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
- Romans 13:7 6 votes
Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.
- Proverbs 22:7 5 votes
The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
- Romans 13:7-8 2 votes
[7] Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor. [8] Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
- Proverbs 22:26-27 2 votes
[26] Don't you be one of those who strike hands, Of those who are collateral for debts. [27] If you don't have means to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you?
- Ecclesiastes 5:5 2 votes
It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.
- James 5:4 2 votes
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of those who reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Hosts.
- Matthew 6:24 2 votes
"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can't serve both God and Mammon.
- Matthew 5:42 2 votes
Give to him who asks you, and don't turn away him who desires to borrow from you.
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