The Bible addresses usury, often defined as the practice of charging excessive interest on loans, with caution and concern for justice and equity. Scripture particularly in the Old Testament, provides guidelines that restrict or discourage usury, especially among the poor and within the community of God’s people. The emphasis is on fairness, support for the needy, and avoidance of exploiting others’ misfortunes for personal gain. In the New Testament, while direct references to usury are less frequent, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles continue to stress love, generosity, and the principle of treating others with the same kindness and fairness we would wish for ourselves. This biblical perspective challenges believers to consider their financial dealings with others in light of God’s commands to love our neighbor and to act justly.
Curious about the biblical stance on lending and interest? Dive deeper into what Scripture reveals about usury and financial ethics.
What Does the Bible Say About Usury?
The Bible’s treatment of usury reflects a comprehensive concern for social justice, ethical behavior, and the welfare of the community. In ancient times, usury was a pressing issue, as high interest rates could lead to severe poverty, indebtedness, and even enslavement. To counteract these risks, the Bible sets forth principles that regulate lending practices, aiming to protect the vulnerable and promote a society based on mutual aid rather than exploitation.
God’s view on usury, as outlined in the Scriptures, is that financial practices should not oppress the poor or lead to inequality. Instead, lending should be seen as an opportunity to help those in need, expecting nothing in return. This approach to finances is part of a broader biblical call to live righteously, demonstrating love, compassion, and justice in all areas of life, including our economic transactions.
In the Old Testament, laws were given to ensure that the poor were not taken advantage of through predatory lending practices. The New Testament, while not explicitly addressing usury, reinforces the idea of generosity and cautions against greed and the idolatry of wealth. The teachings of Jesus often challenge the value systems of the world, urging His followers to prioritize the kingdom of God over material wealth.
Bible Verses About Usury
- 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, and you shall not exact interest from him.”
- 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.”
- Deuteronomy 23:19-20 – “You shall not charge interest on loans to your brother, interest on money, interest on food, interest on anything that is lent for interest. To a foreigner you may charge interest, but to your brother you shall not charge interest, that the Lord your God may bless you in all that you undertake in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.”
- Psalm 15:5 – “Who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.”
- Proverbs 28:8 – “Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.”
- Ezekiel 18:8 – “Does not lend at interest or take any profit, withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man.”
- Nehemiah 5:10-11 – “I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. Return to them, this very day, their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.”
- Luke 6:34-35 – “And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 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.”
- Proverbs 19:17 – “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” This proverb emphasizes the value God places on kindness and generosity, suggesting that acts of charity, including lending without seeking personal gain, are honored by God.
- Matthew 25:27-28 – “Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.” While this parable primarily addresses the use of the gifts God has given us, it also acknowledges the common practice of earning interest in a way that doesn’t exploit the poor or vulnerable.
The Bible’s teachings on usury encourage believers to approach lending with compassion, fairness, and a heart for service, reflecting God’s love and justice in their financial dealings. Through adherence to these principles, Christians are called to a higher standard of ethics, where the welfare of the community and the care of the needy take precedence over personal gain.