Loans and Borrowing
The subject of loaning money, or borrowing, it is an important subject these days. It is the cause of many people's problems. There is wisdom to be found on even this subject within the pages of scripture.
James 4:3 "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. "
Proverbs 3:13-14 "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
As for loaning to those in the body of Christ;
Leviticus 25:35-37 "If your brother is very poor, and fallen into hard times, then you must help him. Even if he is a stranger, or a foreigner, so that he may be able to continue to live among you. Take no profit from him, but fear God, so that your brother may live with you. You cannot lend him money or food for an increase or profit. "
Deuteronomy 23:19-20 "You cannot lend for profit to your brother in the faith, neither money, or food, or any thing. To someone outside the faith you can lend to make a profit. But to your brother you cannot lend for profit. "
Those in the church are our family and should be treated in that way. We need to help one another when we are able, with out the thought of gaining something in return.
Psalms 37:21 "The wicked borrows, and payeth not again: "
As for taking out a loan;
Proverbs 6:1-2 "My son, if you are surety for a friend, or if you have stricken hands with a stranger, you are snared with your words and taken by your mouth. "
Proverbs 11:15 "He that is a guarantor for a stranger will hurt for it. But he that hates to guarantee is secure. "
Proverbs 17:18 "A man who is void of understanding shakes hands, and guarantees a loan in the presence of his friend. (Proverbs 22:7) The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. "
Proverbs 22:26 "Do not be one of them that shakes hands, or one of them that guarantees debts. "
Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. "
Sirach 8:12-13 "Do not lend to a man who is stronger than you; but if you do lend anything, be as one who has lost it. Do not give surety beyond your means, but if you give surety, be concerned as one who must pay. "
Sirach 29:1-7 "The merciful lend to there neighbors, by holding out a helping hand they keep the commandments. Lend to your neighbor in his time of need and repay your neighbor when a loan falls due. Keep your promise and be honest with him, and on every occasion you will find what you need. Many regard a loan as a windfall, and cause trouble to those that help them. One kisses another's hand until he gets a loan, and is respectful ... but at the time of repayment he delays, and pays back with empty promises, finding fault with the time. If he can pay, his creditor will barely get back half.... If he cannot pay, the borrower has robbed the other of his money.... Many refuse to lend, not because of meanness, but from fear of being defrauded needlessly. "
To find freedom to serve God, we cannot be enslaved by the cares of the
world, wanting more than we can afford at the time. If you are in debt, you are
serving another man, for his money.
It is very unwise to get in debt if at all possible, for the future is unknown.
Taking out loans for material things leads us into coveting, we put ourselves
into bondage over it.
It is equally unwise to loan out, or cosign a loan for someone else, for then
you will have no control over whether or not they will repay the loan.
If you loan someone money consider it as never being seen again, so much better
it will be if they do repay you.
As it says in Philippians 4:11, and Hebrews 13:5, Be content with what you have.