It is informative and interesting to note the numerous quotes and sayings about financial services and related activities that transpired ages ago as written in the Bible. Here are quotations that deal with credit finance, lending, mortgage, equity and other money transactions.
On Credit and Lending
The Bible emphasizes a just and fair dealing in terms of any transaction, including the social responsibility in lending to the poor people. In some instances no interest should be charged where necessary.
The quotes speak about charging high interest, and also admonishes the ways by which the lenders or creditors should treat the borrowers or debtors.
“If you lend money to one of my people who is needy, do not be like a money-lender; charge him no interest.” ~Exodus 22: 25
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” ~Proverbs 22: 7
Charging high interest does not glorify God at all. Proverbs 28: 8 has this to say,
“He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.” ~Proverbs 28:8
It means that if something is ill-gotten like exorbitant interest, although it may increase in amount, it will not last long.
On interest-bearing loans, the psalmist is quoted for this wisdom from Psalm 15: 5, that anyone
“Who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent,” ~Psalm 15: 5
will dwell in God’s holy hill.
Currency or Monetary Values
Much like the business world is currently set and controlled by the U.S. Dollar, Euro, or Pounds, these verses quoted from the Old Testament relate to the monetary value of transaction currencies during those times.
“Every value is to be set according to the sanctuary shekel, twenty gerahs to the shekel.” ~Leviticus 27: 25
“The shekel is to consist of twenty gerahs. Twenty shekels plus twenty-five shekels plus fifteen shekels equal one mina.” ~Ezekiel 45: 12
Land Mortgage and other Debts
Nehemiah calls on the rich who usurp the poor people to take accounting for their deeds, and obliges them to forgive the debts incurred and return the mortgaged estates of these oppressed people.
“Others were saying, ‘We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine.'” ~Nehemiah 5:3
Security for Loans and Debts
This verse teaches awareness of the comfort and subsistence of others. Poor debtors should feel and benefit the goodness of creditors who do not take all the advantage of the law against them.
“Do not take a pair of millstones – not even the upper one – as security for a debt, because that would be taking a man’s livelihood as security.” ~Deuteronomy 24: 6
“They drive away the orphan’s donkey and take the widow’s ox in pledge.” ~Job 24: 3
Importance of Paying Debts
This is a basic law of obligation, that debt should be paid.
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow-man has fulfilled the law.” ~Romans 13: 8
Work to Provide Income
The apostle Paul stresses to the Thessalonians that work is necessary to sustain earthly living. Coming from a high status profile prior conversion, Paul was humbled to work as a tentmaker in order to finance for himself while he spread the Gospel.
“Brothers, our toil and hardship, we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.” ~1 Thessalonians 2: 9
Readers who found this article insightful may also enjoy some related quotations. Check out Money Quotes from the Bible, Quotes on Wealth from the Bible, and Success Quotes and Sayings from the Bible.
