What does the Bible say about paying money you owe?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that believers should honestly pay what they owe, honoring obligations to neighbors and lawful authorities as part of loving God and neighbor. Psalm 37:21 contrasts the wicked borrower who does not repay with the righteous who are generous. Romans 13:6-8 calls Christians to pay taxes, revenue, respect, and honor where due, while remembering that love remains the continuing debt owed to all. Proverbs 3:27-28 urges prompt help and payment when it is in one’s power to give. Though Scripture warns that debt can bring bondage (Proverbs 22:7), it also calls God’s people to generosity, stewardship, and quiet integrity, trusting the Lord rather than using religion or giving to gain human praise.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Psalms 37:21 7 votes
The wicked borrow, and don't pay back, But the righteous give generously.
- Romans 13:7 7 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.
- Romans 13:8 5 votes
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
- Proverbs 22:7 4 votes
The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
- Proverbs 3:27-28 2 votes
[27] Don't withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do it. [28] Don't say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, Tomorrow I will give it to you," When you have it by you.
- Matthew 6:1-4 2 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.
- Malachi 3:10 2 votes
Bring the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this," says Yahweh of hosts, "if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough for.
- Luke 6:38 2 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."
- Romans 13:6-7 2 votes
[6] For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually on this very thing. [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.
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