Does the Bible say anything about lending money?

what does the bible say?

The Bible teaches that we should give generously to the needy and not set our heart on money. The Lord is our provision; this should compel us to more freely use our financial resources, within reasonable limits, to help people. In the Old Testament, God encouraged His people to lend to those in need and to do so without exacting interest from fellow Israelites (Deuteronomy 15:7–8; Exodus 22:25; Deuteronomy 23:19–20; Leviticus 25:36–38). The Lord encouraged a right attitude toward money and lending by commanding that debts within the nation of Israel be forgiven every seven years. The Lord’s teaching about money and lending/borrowing carries over into the New Testament. Jesus encouraged His followers not to set their hearts on money (Matthew 6:19–21) and to financially help those in need (Matthew 5:42). Scripture teaches that “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7) and that He looks favorably on those who are generous (Luke 6:38). Resistance to lending money to the needy may indicate a love for money, which is spiritually unhealthy (1 Timothy 6:10). Ultimately, a believer’s goal should be to use financial resources for God’s glory, part of which is helping those in need.

from the old testament

• In Deuteronomy 15:7–8, God told the Israelites, “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your l and that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your h and against your poor brother, but you shall open your h and to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.”
• The Israelites were not permitted to charge interest on loans made to other Jews (Exodus 22:25; Deuteronomy 23:19–20; Leviticus 25:36–38). This demonstrated that lending should not be done to get rich but to help the needy (Proverbs 28:8).
• Another example of this principle about lending is that every seven years, debts were cancelled among Israelites (Deuteronomy 15; Leviticus 25).

from the new testament

• In Matthew 5:42, Jesus said, “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” This is a general principle; common sense and stewardship of money matter as well. We’re to be good stewards of any resources the Lord has blessed us with, including money (Matthew 25:14–30; Luke 16:10–11; 1 Peter 4:10).
• God encourages generosity: “give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).
• Before lending to others, though, we must provide for our own families. Paul reveals that if we do not, we are “worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8).
• Suppose we have the resources to provide for others in need. An unwillingness to financially assist someone in that situation may indicate an attachment to money that is spiritually unhealthy: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:10).

implications for today

In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Polonius’s advice to his son Laertes has become one of the most well-known lines in the play: “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” (1.3). Polonius doesn’t want his son to fall into the financial traps that often come with lending and borrowing. Our heavenly Father also wants us to be good stewards of what He has blessed us with, including money (Matthew 25:14–30; Luke 16:10–11; 1 Peter 4:10). But for Christians, good stewardship includes lending money to those in need. By doing this, we are laying up treasures in heaven by showing the love of God on earth (Matthew 6:19–20). Do we have to lend money even if we know that a person has regularly used our donations for harmful things, like drugs or alcohol? No, but we should use our funds to help that person as best we can—whether with food, rehabilitation, or other assistance. Also, family must be the priority (1 Timothy 5:8). In other words, we’re to use discernment and wisdom. But when we see a brother or sister in need, it isn’t enough to merely express sympathy for their plight. James put it this way: “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:15-17). As “new creations,” we should want to help others with the means God has blessed us with (2 Corinthians 5:17), including money. When we do so, we give glory to our Father in heaven.

Recap

understand

• The Bible calls us to help those in need without expecting profit.
• God values cheerful, wise stewardship.
• Refusing to help when we’re able may reveal a heart clinging to money.

reflect

• How do your attitudes and experiences with money shape the way you respond when others ask for financial help?
• How do you see God calling you to grow in generosity while also exercising wisdom with your resources?
• What fears or desires might be influencing your willingness or reluctance to support others financially?

engage

• How can we cultivate a community where financial generosity is motivated by love, rather than obligation or fear?
• What practical steps can we take to balance stewardship and compassion when helping those who may struggle with misusing resources?
• How does our approach to lending money reveal our understanding of God’s kingdom values and trust in His provision?