Christian Topic: A Biblical Perspective On Borrowing
November 16, 2004 - by Crown Financial Ministries

Although many Christians believe that the Bible forbids borrowing, it does not. However, it does greatly discourage borrowing.
 
A survey was done recently of several seminar groups to determine if they thought borrowing is scripturally forbidden. Over 70 percent responded that they believed the Bible prohibits borrowing. Perhaps it would be a lot easier if God’s Word did prohibit a Christian from borrowing, but it does not. There is not a verse directing God’s people not to borrow money (no, not even Romans 13:8). However, neither does Scripture encourage borrowing. Borrowing is always discussed in the Bible as a negative, rather than a positive, principle. It would seem to be a consequence of disobeying God’s statutes or rules of economics. "He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him;…So all these curses shall come on you and pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you would not obey the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 28:44-45).

God’s minimum
The absolute minimum that God’s Word establishes for any borrower is found in Psalm 37:21: "The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives." If we don’t want to be counted among the "wicked," we must repay any debt we owe. It really doesn’t matter if the circumstances are beyond our control. If we make a debt, we’re stuck with it. It may mean many years of sacrifices to pay even the minimum amount to creditors, but anyone who has ever made the step over to a life of faith will attest that having God’s peace is more valuable than the world’s wealth. "A good name is to be more desired than great riches, favor is better than silver and gold" (Proverbs 22:1).

The only biblical way to borrow
Perhaps the most abused and least understood financial principle in God’s Word is surety: assuming an obligation to pay an indebtedness without a certain way to pay it. Surety means that we presume upon the future. If everything goes as we expect, we’ll be able to pay the loans back. If things go wrong, as they often do, we may be left in debt. If Christians would observe this one caution associated with borrowing, the most they could lose is the security they had pledged against a loan. "Do not be among those who give pledges, among those who become sureties for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take your bed from under you?" (Proverbs 22:26-27).

Conclusion
It is important to remember that credit is not the problem; it’s the misuse of credit that causes problems.

We do not want to give the impression that God leaves Christians to fend for themselves until they’re debt free. To the contrary, God is looking at heart attitudes. Christians must make an absolute commitment to God’s Word and determine to honor their creditors, regardless of the cost. It’s called living by faith. "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High; and call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me" (Psalm 50:14-15).

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