Today we will talk about Bible Verses About Usury. Many Christians do not know what this word means. Usury refers to the practice of charging excessively high-interest rates on loans, and the Bible has a lot to say about it. It emphasizes fair dealings and compassion toward others. God calls us to approach financial matters with integrity, showing love and kindness for our neighbors. As we explore these verses together, let’s meditate on how our actions reflect our faith. Join me as we dive into what the scriptures teach us regarding usury and the principles of lending and borrowing.
Bible Verses About Usury
Usury is Forbidden
In our spiritual journey, we often encounter teachings that guide our actions toward others. The topic of usury is a crucial one, highlighting how God desires us to interact in financial relationships. Usury, or the act of exploiting others through excessive interest, is deemed wrong in God’s eyes. We are reminded to handle financial matters with grace and fairness, reflecting God’s character in our interactions. When we reject usury, we foster an atmosphere of trust and love among our communities, encouraging one another to thrive rather than struggling under heavy burdens. It’s a powerful message of compassion that echoes throughout Scripture.
Exodus 22:25
“If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a money lender; charge him no interest.” – Exodus 22:25
Leviticus 25:36
“Do not take interest or any profit from them, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you.” – Leviticus 25:36
Deuteronomy 23:19
“Do not charge a fellow Israelite interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest.” – Deuteronomy 23:19
Psalms 15:5
“Whoever lends money to the poor without interest, who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.” – Psalms 15:5
Ezekiel 18:8
“He does not lend at interest or take a profit. He keeps his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between two parties.” – Ezekiel 18:8
Stewardship and Usury
As stewards of God’s creation, we are entrusted with resources that should be managed wisely. The issue of usury challenges us to examine how we handle our financial blessings. God calls us to be responsible and fair, promoting a sense of community rather than exploiting those in need. Embracing good stewardship means we focus on supporting one another. We have the opportunity to uplift our friends and neighbors by sharing our resources without expecting anything excessive in return. By eliminating usury from our lives, we become reflections of God’s love and provision.
Proverbs 28:8
“Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another who will be kind to the poor.” – Proverbs 28:8
Luke 6:34-35
“And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.” – Luke 6:34-35
Matthew 25:27
“Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.” – Matthew 25:27
1 Timothy 6:10
“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” – 1 Timothy 6:10
Proverbs 22:7
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” – Proverbs 22:7
The Impact of Usury on Relationships
The practice of usury doesn’t only affect finances; it significantly impacts relationships. Being in debt can create anxiety and strain among friends and family. We see that God urges us to maintain honesty and kindness in our dealings with others. Financial burdens shouldn’t be a source of division but of collaboration and support! By adhering to principles against usury, we foster healthy networks where trust can blossom, and mutual support becomes the norm.
Proverbs 11:1
“The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.” – Proverbs 11:1
Proverbs 16:8
“Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.” – Proverbs 16:8
Philippians 2:4
“Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” – Philippians 2:4
Proverbs 3:27
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.” – Proverbs 3:27
Romans 13:8
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” – Romans 13:8
Compassion Over Exploitation
When we lend to others, we are called to act out of compassion and kindness, rather than exploitation. God’s heart for us is to remain generous and loving, especially toward those who find themselves in difficult situations. By choosing to avoid usury, we become vessels of God’s love and mercy. Each act of generosity creates ripples of kindness that can uplift those around us and foster community cohesion. Let us become advocates for compassion and, through our interactions, demonstrate an unwavering commitment to love.
Deuteronomy 24:19-22
“When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheath, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.” – Deuteronomy 24:19-22
Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” – Proverbs 19:17
Matthew 5:42
“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” – Matthew 5:42
Hebrews 13:16
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16
1 John 3:17
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” – 1 John 3:17
Justice in Lending
Justice is a central theme in God’s teachings, and lending should also be a matter of justice. When we engage in financial practices, they should reflect fairness and righteousness. Usury is often marked by injustice, preying on those who are most vulnerable. As a community of believers, we must join hands in promoting justice, ensuring fair practices in everything we do—including lending. Emphasizing justice in our financial dealings deepens our relationships and models Christ’s love to the world.
Job 24:3
“Like taking a garment from the poor, or violating a poor person’s right to safety.” – Job 24:3
Proverbs 28:6
“Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.” – Proverbs 28:6
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8
Isaiah 10:1-2
“Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed.” – Isaiah 10:1-2
Lamentations 3:34
“The Lord does not reject forever. Although he brings grief, he will show compassion so great is his unfailing love.” – Lamentations 3:34
Forgiveness and Financial Obligations
Forgiveness plays a massive role in our Christian life, even concerning finances. The Bible teaches that we should be willing to forgive debts for the sake of love and grace. This principle stands in stark contrast to the often harsh realities of usury, yet it emphasizes the heart of God toward us. Recognizing that we are all in need of grace helps motivate us to demonstrate leniency in financial matters. Through forgiveness and understanding, we cultivate a community characterized by support and love instead of constant struggle.
Matthew 6:12
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” – Matthew 6:12
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13
Matthew 18:27
“The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.” – Matthew 18:27
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Building a Culture of Generosity
As followers of Christ, creating an environment that promotes generosity is essential for us. Usury works against this notion, leading to a culture of fear and skepticism instead of trust and openness. With God as our guide, we can establish values that resonate with giving and support. A culture based on generosity encourages us to share willingly from our abundance. It’s about celebrating the joy of giving and uplifting those around us, which strengthens our communities and reflects divine love.
Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” – Acts 20:35
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7
1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
Proverbs 21:26
“All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.” – Proverbs 21:26
Luke 12:33-34
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail.” – Luke 12:33-34
Final Thoughts
Usury is a term we often overlook, yet it carries a mountain of implications for our relationships and community dynamics. As we’ve explored the Bible verses about usury, we see that God urges us to handle financial matters with integrity and compassion. By promoting fair practices, fostering a culture of generosity, and emphasizing justice, we contribute positively to our surroundings. Let’s continue to embrace God’s guidance on these matters, reflecting His love to those around us. Together, we can create an environment where everyone can thrive without the weight of excessive financial burdens.
Our journey does not end here; it is an ongoing effort to align our actions with our faith. As we move forward, let us commit to being instruments of God’s grace and mercy in the world, especially in financial dealings. By focusing on compassion over exploitation, we can transform our communities and aid those in need.
Let’s carry these lessons of justice, forgiveness, and generosity in our hearts as we strive to live according to God’s Word in all that we do, including how we manage our finances.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4
