Should a Christian Borrow Money?
The world runs on credit. Whether it’s a mortgage for a home, a loan for a car, or using a credit card, borrowing money is a fact of modern life. For new and curious Christians trying to manage their finances God’s way, the question arises: Is taking on debt acceptable?
The Bible does not issue an absolute ban on borrowing, but it gives clear warnings and sets a high standard for any follower of Jesus who takes on debt. The best way to view this is: Borrowing is permitted, but financial freedom is the goal.
The Biblical Warning Against Debt
Scripture is clear that debt places you in a position of vulnerability and servitude. It shifts your allegiance, in a sense, from being completely free to serve God to being obligated to an earthly lender.
Proverbs 22:7: “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.”
This verse is the most famous warning against debt. It is not an eternal condemnation, but a practical statement of truth: when you owe someone money, you are not truly free. The fear of not making a payment can control your choices and cause great anxiety.
A Christian's life should be marked by freedom and generosity, not by the heavy chains of obligation to a creditor.
When Borrowing Becomes Necessary or Wise
While freedom from debt is the ideal, the Bible recognizes that there are times when borrowing may be necessary, especially for major life purchases that build stability:
For Necessary Assets (Like a Home): Major, long-term debt like a home mortgage is often necessary to acquire an asset that gains value and provides shelter for your family. If approached wisely, this kind of debt can be a temporary tool, not a permanent way of life.
To Serve Others (The Exception): If you borrow money specifically to launch a ministry or to help a person in desperate need (and you have a solid plan to repay it), the intent is selfless, which aligns with Christ’s command to love your neighbor.
In these cases, borrowing is acceptable only if you have a disciplined plan for repayment, recognizing that the debt is temporary.
The Christian Standard for Debt
If you do choose to borrow money, your behavior must be held to a higher, Christ-centered standard:
Pay It Back—Always: The failure to repay a debt is treated as a sin and a mark of an unrighteous person.
Psalm 37:21: “The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives.” A Christian is called to be righteous, meaning they are diligent, reliable, and honest. If you borrow, you must honor the debt, even if it causes you hardship. This is a matter of integrity and witness.
Avoid Co-signing: The Bible warns against guaranteeing the debt of others, as this is financially foolish and puts your own family at risk.
Proverbs 17:18: “A man lacking in sense shakes hands and assumes obligation in the presence of his neighbor.”
No Unnecessary Debt: Avoid debt for temporary pleasures like lavish vacations, expensive clothes, or non-essential items that rapidly depreciate in value. Debt for consumption traps you, while debt for a necessary asset can potentially free you in the long run.
Conclusion: Prioritize Freedom, Not Slavery
The freedom God offers through Christ is spiritual, but it should spill over into your finances.
A Christian can borrow money, but the ideal position is to owe no one anything, except the continuing debt to love one another (Romans 13:8). Borrowing is a tool you should use carefully and only out of necessity, always remembering the goal is to be financially stable so you can be generous and fully free to serve God without the burden of earthly masters.
