What does the Bible say about paying your debts?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that believers should faithfully pay what they owe, honor lawful obligations, and avoid the bondage and temptation of careless debt. Romans 13:7-8 calls Christians to render taxes, revenue, respect, and honor where due, owing no one anything except continuing love. Psalm 37:21 contrasts the wicked borrower who does not repay with the righteous who are generous. Proverbs 22:7 warns that borrowing can make one a servant to the lender, while Proverbs 22:26-27 cautions against rash pledges. Ecclesiastes 5:5 commends keeping vows. Yet our hope is not in financial self-righteousness: God saves us by mercy alone, and His grace should form honest, generous, responsible lives.
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 13:7 8 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 6 votes
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
- Proverbs 22:7 3 votes
The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
- Ecclesiastes 5:5 3 votes
It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.
- Romans 13:7-8 3 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.
- 1 Timothy 6:9 2 votes
But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.
- Acts 20:35 2 votes
In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
- Titus 3:5 2 votes
not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
- 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?
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