In this episode, Lucas dives deep into a topic of Christian living: debt. Is borrowing a lack of faith? Are loans inherently unspiritual—or even sinful? Drawing from Scripture, historical context, and modern financial realities, Lucas unpacks what the Bible actually says about lending, borrowing, cosigning, and the nature of wise stewardship. Whether you’ve struggled with debt, wrestled with guilt, or simply wondered how faith intersects with finances, this thoughtful conversation brings clarity, balance, and maybe even a little surprise.
Old Testament Framework
but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs. Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,’ and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to the Lord against you, and it become sin among you. You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand. (Deuteronomy 15:8–10)
“If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest. (Exodus 22:25)
To a foreigner you may charge interest, but to your brother you shall not charge interest, that the Lord your God may bless you in all to which you set your hand in the land which you are entering to possess. (Deuteronomy 23:20)
At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people, because the Lord’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed. (Deuteronomy 15:1–2)
• Getting a loan is acceptable and lovingly lending comes with a promise of blessing from God.
Co-signing for a stranger Is Strongly Discouraged
Proverbs issues its strongest financial warnings about guaranteeing a stranger’s loan (suretyship or co-signing) or taking a loan when you don’t have the means to cover the cost. Co-signing with a stranger is not the same thing as accepting or giving a loan. Note that these verses don’t even forbid co-signing for a loved one when you have the assets. The focus is not falling into the trap of a conman.
Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe. (Proverbs 11:15)
One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor. (Proverbs 17:18)
Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider. (Proverbs 20:16)
Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider. (Proverbs 27:13)
Here, he uses “stranger” and “neighbor” interchangeably.
My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth. So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go—to the point of exhaustion— and give your neighbor no rest! Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. (Proverbs 6:1–5)
Proverbs also warns about taking on debt when you don’t have the means to pay. That is different than taking on debt when you are financially able to afford it.
Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. (Proverbs 22:26–27)
Direct Borrowing Requires Caution
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. (Proverbs 22:7)
Modern Financial Protections Fulfill Proverbs’ Wisdom (with the exception of co-signing)
In the time of Proverbs, borrowing carried real physical danger — you and your family could be sold into slavery, you could be imprisoned, or even put to death. But in modern America, the very protections Proverbs 22:7 warns borrowers to seek are already built into our legal and financial system. Because we cannot be imprisoned or enslaved for debt, and because bankruptcy, limited-liability laws, and lending regulations exist, borrowing within reasonable limits actually aligns with the safeguards Proverbs encourages. When we borrow responsibly under modern protections, we are already following the wisdom that Proverbs prescribes.
This does not, however, allow for borrowing beyond our means, or borrowing from extra-legal or private parties who will take advantage of us.
New Testament Teaching
Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:7–8)
In the context, it’s obvious that he knows people will owe various tax debts and revenue debts. He isn’t saying you have to avoid debts. His point is not to leave anything you owe unpaid. The NIV (above) makes it much clearer than other translations. “Let no debt remain outstanding” implies that we will accept reasonable debts, and we are obligated to pay them.
Teachings of Jesus That Normalize Lending and Borrowing
• Matthew 18:23–35 — Parable of the Unforgiving Servant: depicts borrowing, lending, and repayment as ordinary economic activities. The “hero” of the story, who represents God, is a lender, and the victim of an unfair sub-lender is a borrower.
