Questions & Answers

The Bible verse you are thinking about and which some have used to say that any and all indebtedness is wrong is Romans 13:8: "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law."

We do not believe that this passage is prohibiting any and all forms of indebtedness because of the immediate and wider context of the words in the Bible. Look at the preceding verse. What has Paul been dealing with in this passage? He has been dealing our responsibility to give what we owe to ruling authorities. "Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." It is wrong for us to default or dishonestly avoid true obligations. If anyone has a proper expectation of us—if we owe them—then we should pay it.

The wider context of Scripture does not endorse the concept of all indebtedness being sinful. Those under the Mosaic covenant had borrowing and lending governed, but not prohibited. See Exodus 22:25-27 and Deuteronomy 15:7-8 as sample verses.

"The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." (Proverbs 22:7). These words remind us that being in debt may not be sinful, but it is an important issue and calls for wisdom.