53+ Bible Verses About Debt

Debt, a common challenge faced by many, can be a source of significant stress and anxiety. It's a topic that has been addressed through the ages, including in the Christian faith. The Bible, a foundational Christian text, offers guidance and wisdom. This article dives into 56 Bible verses and 7 Christian quotes that shed light on the Christian perspective of handling debt. These passages and insights provide a comprehensive view of the subject, rooted in faith and spiritual understanding.

The Bible's approach to debt is multifaceted, offering not just practical advice but also spiritual guidance. As we explore these verses and quotes, we invite you to reflect on their meanings and how they can apply to your life. Whether you are seeking comfort, guidance, or a deeper understanding of this topic, these scriptures and insights can be a valuable resource. Continue reading for a comprehensive exploration of what the Bible and Christian thought leaders have to say about debt.

Understanding Debt in Biblical Terms

"The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."

- Proverbs 22:7 (KJV)

"Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law."

- Romans 13:8 (KJV)

"The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth."

- Psalms 37:21 (KJV)

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

- 1 Timothy 6:10 (KJV)

"Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away."

- Matthew 5:42 (KJV)

"No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

- Luke 16:13 (KJV)

"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 (KJV)

The Consequences of Debt

"The borrower is servant to the lender."

- Proverbs 22:7b (KJV)

"And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the Lord; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering."

- Leviticus 5:7 (KJV)

"My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth."

- Proverbs 6:1-2 (KJV)

"He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved."

- Psalms 15:5 (KJV)

"It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it."

- Ecclesiastes 5:5 (KJV)

"The wicked borrow, and do not repay, but the righteous give generously."

- Psalms 37:21 (KJV)

"Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright."

- Hebrews 12:16 (KJV)

Biblical Guidance on Avoiding Debt

"Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law."

- Romans 13:8 (KJV)

"The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty."

- Proverbs 21:5 (KJV)

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest."

- Proverbs 6:6-8 (KJV)

"Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts."

- Proverbs 22:26 (KJV)

"A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just."

- Proverbs 13:22 (KJV)

"Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase."

- Proverbs 13:11 (KJV)

"Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:"

- Proverbs 3:9 (KJV)

Trust in God, Not in Wealth

"Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom."

- Proverbs 23:4 (KJV)

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;"

- 1 Timothy 6:17 (KJV)

"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition."

- 1 Timothy 6:9 (KJV)

"Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right."

- Proverbs 16:8 (KJV)

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

- Mark 8:36 (KJV)

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:"

- Matthew 6:19 (KJV)

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

- Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

Generosity and Lending in the Bible

"Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again."

- Luke 6:30 (KJV)

"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again."

- Proverbs 19:17 (KJV)

"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 (KJV)

"He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor."

- Proverbs 28:8 (KJV)

"A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion."

- Psalms 112:5 (KJV)

"But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil."

- Luke 6:35 (KJV)

"That thy alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly."

- Matthew 6:4 (KJV)

The Righteous Use of Wealth

"Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:"

- Proverbs 3:9 (KJV)

"Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death."

- Proverbs 11:4 (KJV)

"He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch."

- Proverbs 11:28 (KJV)

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;"

- 1 Timothy 6:18 (KJV)

"Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed."

- John 6:27 (KJV)

"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:"

- Matthew 6:20 (KJV)

"He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor."

- Proverbs 22:9 (KJV)

Wisdom and Counsel on Wealth and Debt

"A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished."

- Proverbs 22:3 (KJV)

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

- 1 Timothy 6:10 (KJV)

"In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble."

- Proverbs 15:6 (KJV)

"Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase."

- Proverbs 13:11 (KJV)

"Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds,"

- Proverbs 27:23 (KJV)

"He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity."

- Ecclesiastes 5:10 (KJV)

"Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death."

- Proverbs 11:4 (KJV)

Contentment and Trust in God's Provision

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

- Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)

"But godliness with contentment is great gain."

- 1 Timothy 6:6 (KJV)

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."

- Psalms 23:1 (KJV)

"Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle."

- Proverbs 23:5 (KJV)

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

- Proverbs 3:5 (KJV)

"Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith."

- Proverbs 15:16 (KJV)

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

- Philippians 4:11 (KJV)

"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness."

- Charles Spurgeon

"God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with."

- Billy Graham

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess."

- Martin Luther

"True faith means holding nothing back. It means putting every hope in God's fidelity to His Promises."

- Francis Chan

"When I have learned to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now."

- C.S. Lewis

"We are not cisterns made for hoarding, we are channels made for sharing."

- Billy Graham

"Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have."

- Anonymous

Christian Quotes

"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness."

- Charles Spurgeon

"God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with."

- Billy Graham

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess."

- Martin Luther

"True faith means holding nothing back. It means putting every hope in God's fidelity to His Promises."

- Francis Chan

"When I have learned to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now."

- C.S. Lewis

"We are not cisterns made for hoarding, we are channels made for sharing."

- Billy Graham

"Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have."

- Anonymous

Conclusion

In exploring these verses and quotes, we find a consistent message: Debt is not just a financial issue but a spiritual one that calls for wisdom, discernment, and trust in God. The Bible offers profound guidance on handling debt, emphasizing the importance of living within means, being generous, and trusting God’s provision. These teachings encourage us to reflect on our approach to wealth and to seek a balance that honors God and our responsibilities.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

- Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

- 1 Timothy 6:10 (KJV)

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

- Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)