Is it a sin to lend or borrow money at interest in the Bible?

[researchguy]

Is it interest a sin in the bible? most christians today are ok with it but ive seen verses condemning interest. EDIT: also im asking because of a potential student loan i might use

 

[Follower3]

Exodus 22:25, in the NIV, makes this point clearly, “If you lend money to any of my people who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.”

Matthew 5:42, Jesus says, “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

Deuteronomy 23:19 ESV / 215 helpful votes​

​

“You shall not charge interest on loans to your brother, interest on money, interest on food, interest on anything that is lent for interest.


Don't see any rules on TAKING a loan

 

[SeventhFisherofMen]

Before I begin with the Bible verses I want to start by saying I have $24,000 in student loan debt for an education I could have gotten for free at a community college (An Associate of Science in Accounting). I wish I could go back in time and tell myself to not get into debt. Why? Because I could have gotten the education for free at community college, I could have at least done half the education (GE's) at community college and then transferred which would have made my college experience half the price, and if I didn't have debt I could get a job and a credit card and build good credit and not have anything that i owe or feel guilty about. Debt is a serious thing to God so try to have as little as possible. Now to the verses:

The Old Testament "condemns the practice of charging interest on a poor person because a loan should be an act of compassion and taking care of one's neighbor"; it teaches that "making a profit off a loan from a poor person is exploiting that person (Exodus 22:25–27)."

This is taken from the following link

That being said it is really difficult to not get a loan without interest, almost impossible. While you will most likely have to pay interest if you get a loan i personally believe that God wants us to have as little debt as possible and to pay back what we can.

Proverbs 6:1
My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,
if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
2 you have been trapped by what you said,
ensnared by the words of your mouth.
3 So do this, my son, to free yourself,
since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands:
Go—to the point of exhaustion—[a]
and give your neighbor no rest!
4 Allow no sleep to your eyes,
no slumber to your eyelids.
5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,

 

[saved24]

I think the part about interest is not to overcharge others to make a lot of money, taking more then you need. Loans should be somethings important, things you need, like a car, and a home. Student loans possibly if you think you can repay. Pray. God bless.

 

[researchguy]

Before I begin with the Bible verses I want to start by saying I have $24,000 in student loan debt for an education I could have gotten for free at a community college (An Associate of Science in Accounting). I wish I could go back in time and tell myself to not get into debt. Why? Because I could have gotten the education for free at community college, I could have at least done half the education (GE's) at community college and then transferred which would have made my college experience half the price, and if I didn't have debt I could get a job and a credit card and build good credit and not have anything that i owe or feel guilty about. Debt is a serious thing to God so try to have as little as possible. Now to the verses:

The Old Testament "condemns the practice of charging interest on a poor person because a loan should be an act of compassion and taking care of one's neighbor"; it teaches that "making a profit off a loan from a poor person is exploiting that person (Exodus 22:25–27)."

This is taken from the following link

That being said it is really difficult to not get a loan without interest, almost impossible. While you will most likely have to pay interest if you get a loan i personally believe that God wants us to have as little debt as possible and to pay back what we can.

Proverbs 6:1
My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,
if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
2 you have been trapped by what you said,
ensnared by the words of your mouth.
3 So do this, my son, to free yourself,
since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands:
Go—to the point of exhaustion—[a]
and give your neighbor no rest!
4 Allow no sleep to your eyes,
no slumber to your eyelids.
5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler

I think youre right about student loans. I think Ill just let my mom pay for the college, or save up money myself.

 

[BeyondET]

Among Israelites probably, from strangers no.

Deuteronomy 23:20

You may charge a foreigner interest, but not your brother, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything to which you put your hand in the land that you are entering to possess.

 

[Strong in Him]

Is it interest a sin in the bible? most christians today are ok with it but ive seen verses condemning interest. EDIT: also im asking because of a potential student loan i might use

Banks charge interest on loans, they also give interest (tiny amount) on savings accounts. It's a business thing. You take the loan out which gives you instant cash; you agree to pay the interest rates. Also, the bank agrees to pay you interest on savings that you have decided to place in their bank.
As long as it's a legitimate arrangement and not a deal with a loan shark, who will take your money, and interest and demand more, thereby taking advantage of you, it should be fine.

 

[eleos1954]

Is it interest a sin in the bible? most christians today are ok with it but ive seen verses condemning interest. EDIT: also im asking because of a potential student loan i might use

Luke 6:34-35a, Jesus tells a crowd of people, “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.”

If one signs an agreement then they should abide by that agreement and are subject to it .... when one loans money then the burden lies on them (the loaner) how they proceed if the case of non-payment .... From a christian perspective it shouldn't be expected to be paid back. However, not all who loan money are not christians...the Lord will ultimately deal with these things.