Lending

Lending in Scripture is regulated by law and shaped by the principle that the needy neighbor has a claim on the generosity of the more prosperous. Mosaic law prohibited charging interest to a fellow Israelite in need (Exod. 22:25–27; Lev. 25:35–37; Deut. 23:19–20), while interest could be charged to foreigners. Deuteronomy 15:1–11 required debts to fellow Israelites to be released every seventh year and condemned the hard heart that refused to lend as the release year approached. The Psalter commends the righteous man who "lends generously" and is gracious (Ps. 112:5). Jesus radicalized lending by demanding generosity without expectation of return: "Lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High" (Luke 6:35). The parable of the unforgiving servant (Matt. 18:23–35) frames forgiveness of debt as the model for interpersonal forgiveness. Paul's instruction that believers "owe no one anything, except to love each other" (Rom. 13:8) creates a spiritual reframing of debt in which love is the perpetual obligation that cannot be discharged.