Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of creditors and debt was a significant aspect of economic and social life. The Bible addresses the relationship between creditors and debtors, providing guidance on ethical behavior, justice, and mercy.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the Mosaic Law contains specific instructions regarding creditors and their treatment of debtors. The law emphasizes compassion and fairness, reflecting God's concern for justice and the well-being of the community.
One of the key passages is found in
Exodus 22:25-27 : "If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not be like a moneylender to him; you must not charge him interest. If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate."
This passage highlights the prohibition against charging interest to fellow Israelites, especially the poor, and underscores the importance of returning collateral that is essential for a debtor's survival. The law seeks to protect the vulnerable from exploitation and ensure that basic human needs are met.
The Year of Jubilee, described in
Leviticus 25, further illustrates the biblical approach to debt. Every fiftieth year, debts were to be forgiven, and land returned to its original owners. This practice served as a reset for economic disparities and a reminder of God's provision and ownership of the land.
New Testament TeachingsIn the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles continue to address the issue of debt and the behavior of creditors. Jesus' teachings often emphasize mercy and forgiveness, extending these principles to financial matters.
In the parable of the unmerciful servant (
Matthew 18:23-35), Jesus illustrates the importance of forgiveness. The parable tells of a servant who, after being forgiven a massive debt by his master, refuses to forgive a fellow servant a much smaller debt. The master rebukes the unmerciful servant, highlighting the expectation that those who receive mercy should also extend it to others.
The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, also touches on the subject of debt. In
Romans 13:8 , he writes, "Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." This verse encourages believers to avoid unnecessary debt and to prioritize love and mutual support within the community.
Ethical ConsiderationsThe biblical perspective on creditors is rooted in a broader ethical framework that values justice, mercy, and community welfare. Creditors are called to act with integrity, avoiding exploitation and showing compassion to those in financial distress. The Bible's teachings encourage a balance between the rights of creditors and the needs of debtors, promoting a society where economic relationships are governed by love and fairness.
Throughout Scripture, the treatment of debtors serves as a reflection of one's relationship with God and others. The biblical narrative consistently calls for a heart of generosity and a commitment to justice, reminding believers of their responsibility to care for the less fortunate and to act as stewards of God's resources.
Strong's Hebrew
5383. nashah -- to lend, become a creditor... root Definition to lend, become a creditor NASB Word Usage creditor (4),
creditors (1), exacting (1), lending (1), lent (2), loaned (1), make (1), make the
...5391a. nashak -- to bite
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to bite NASB Word Usage bit (2), bite (4), bites
(4), bitten (1),creditors (1). 5391, 5391a. nashak. 5391b ....
Library
Jehoram Succeeds Jehoshaphat; How Joram, his Namesake, King of...
... borrowed money for their maintenance, and that, after her husband's death, she and
her children were carried away to be made slaves by thecreditors; and she...
Letter xiv (Circa AD 1129) to Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln
... monk. He solicits the consent of Alexander, his bishop, to this, and begs
him to sanction arrangements with thecreditors of Philip....
Introduction
... this work from many friends, and from many who were before not even acquaintances,
that he must flatly declare himself bankrupt to hiscreditors, and rejoice...
Preparations for the Invasion of Greece.
... Thecreditors, in fact, do not desire that it should be, as owners of property always
prefer a safe annual income from it to the custody of the principal; and...
Epistle xiii. To Fortunatus, Bishop.
... they ought to be disposed of, up to the amount of the debt, in the presence of John
our defensor, and their price should be paid to thecreditors, to the end...
Of the Lasting Character of Gluttony as Described to Some...
... because of his Christian simplicity. "My father," said he, "left me in
the clutches of a great manycreditors. All the others I...
The Same Archebius Paid a Debt of his Mother's by the Labour of...
... free from all annoyances, since he had been disinherited of all his father's property,
yet he found that his mother was excessively annoyed by thecreditors....
The Poor Debtor.
... twenty-five years of his life would be spent in getting free from debt, when little
over half that time would have been required, if hiscreditors had, acting...
The Life Story of Pastor Wang
... beyond his strength to clear himself of debt, and when his best endeavours proved
futile he had sold his goods and distributed their price amongst thecreditors...
The Poor Man's Friend
... The man is so deeply in debt that he cannot pay hiscreditors even a farthing in
the pound; but here is someone who can pay everything that the debtor owes...
Thesaurus
Creditors (4 Occurrences)...Creditors (4 Occurrences). Job 6:27 Truly, you are such as would give up the child
of a dead man to his
creditors, and would make a profit out of your friend.
...Debtor (7 Occurrences)
... which, because of the inability of a widow to pay a small debt contracted by her
dead husband, the woman complains to the prophet that thecreditors have come...
Debt (48 Occurrences)
... which, because of the inability of a widow to pay a small debt contracted by her
dead husband, the woman complains to the prophet that thecreditors have come...
Creditor (8 Occurrences)
Knock (7 Occurrences)
... to come forth (Deuteronomy 24:10). This was to avoid the violent intrusion
of cruelcreditors. Peter stood knocking at the outer...
Troublers (3 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 2:7 Will not yourcreditors suddenly be moved against you, and your troublers
get up from their sleep, and you will be to them like goods taken in war...
Divorcement (7 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 50:1 Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement,
whom I have put away? or which of mycreditors is it to whom I have sold you?...
Mammon (4 Occurrences)
... The steward tried to serve two masters, his lord and his lord'screditors,
but the thing could not be done, as the sequel shows....
Bill (9 Occurrences)
... or which of mycreditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities
were you sold, and for your transgressions was your mother put away....
Bolt (5 Occurrences)
... 19. (n.) A sudden spring or start; a sudden spring aside; as, the horse made
a bolt. 20. (n.) A sudden flight, as to escapecreditors. 21....
Resources
I am a Christian in debt. What should I do? | GotQuestions.orgIs it right for a church to go into debt? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about lending money? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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