Lending, and especially usury, is another financial topic in the Bible. How this applies today has been much debated. In biblical times, it was clearly seen as wrong to lend a fellow countryman at high interest, especially when they were in need.
“If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.” – Exodus 22:25
“If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shall not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.” – Deuteronomy 15:7-8
“Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:” – Deuteronomy 23:19
“He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.” – Psalm 15:5
Next: Taxes
