June 23, 2026
As followers of Christ, we often find ourselveswrestling with difficult financial decisions. One of the most challengingquestions is what to do when someone we care about needs financial help. Shouldwe give them money? Should we lend it? Is there a biblical difference betweenthe two?
Scripture has much to say about money, generosity,stewardship, debt, and relationships. While the Bible doesn't provide a simpleformula for every situation, it does offer principles that can help us navigatethese decisions wisely.
Show Notes
Remember Who Owns It All
Before we discuss lending, we must begin with a foundational truth: God owns everything.
The resources we possess are not ultimately ours. We are stewards entrusted with God's resources for His purposes. This perspective changes how we view every financial decision, including whether to lend money to a friend, family member, or fellow believer.
When we recognize that we are managing God's resources rather than our own, we become more thoughtful and prayerful about how those resources are used.
Is the Bible Against Lending?
Many Christians assume that Scripture views lending negatively. In reality, the Bible assumes lending will occur within communities and families.
Throughout the Old Testament, we see instructions about how lending should be conducted. The concern is not that lending exists, but that it be done justly and lovingly.
The strongest biblical warnings are directed toward exploiting vulnerable people through lending practices. God consistently condemns those who take advantage of others during times of hardship.
Lending itself is not the problem. Predatory lending is.
The Reality of Debt
Proverbs 22:7 reminds us that "the borrower is slave to the lender."
This verse highlights an important reality: debt creates a relationship. Whether the lender is a bank, a credit union, a family member, or a friend, the borrower becomes obligated to repay the debt.
This doesn't necessarily make borrowing sinful. There are circumstances where loans can be helpful and even redemptive. However, debt should never be entered into casually because it carries both financial and relational consequences.
When lending to others, Christians should remember that loans create responsibilities and obligations that can affect relationships for years to come.
Lending Should Promote Restoration, Not Control
One of the clearest examples of abusive lending appears in Nehemiah 5.
During a famine, wealthy Israelites were taking advantage of struggling families. People were mortgaging their fields, vineyards, and homes just to survive. Some even lost their children to slavery because of overwhelming debt.
Nehemiah's outrage was not directed at lending itself but at the exploitation of vulnerable people. This provides an important principle for Christians today: The goal of lending should be restoration, not control.
A loan should help move someone from a place of need toward stability and wholeness. If a lending arrangement places someone under unnecessary burden or creates opportunities for manipulation, it has drifted away from God's design.
Why Relationships Matter
Unlike financial institutions, Christians often have something that banks do not: relationships. A bank primarily evaluates numbers. Credit scores, income, assets, and debt-to-income ratios drive lending decisions. Personal relationships allow us to evaluate something else: character.
When you've walked alongside someone for years, observed their faithfulness, and understand their circumstances, you may be able to make decisions that a financial institution cannot. This doesn't mean every request should be approved. Rather, it means relationships provide valuable context that can help determine the most loving and wise course of action.
Sometimes a Loan Is More Loving Than a Gift
Many people assume that giving is always more loving than lending. Sometimes that's true. But not always. In certain situations, repeated gifts may unintentionally foster dependency rather than growth. A carefully structured loan can create accountability while preserving dignity and encouraging responsibility.
The key question is not whether giving or lending is inherently better. The question is which approach best serves the person's long-term flourishing. Every situation requires wisdom, discernment, and a genuine desire to help.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
If you decide to lend money to a brother or sister in Christ, there are several pitfalls worth avoiding.
1. Don't Cosign Loans Lightly
Scripture repeatedly warns against becoming responsible for someone else's debt. If you do not have the financial capacity to make the loan yourself, cosigning may expose you to risks you are not prepared to bear.
2. Don't Assume Everything Will Go Perfectly
Even when lending to trustworthy people, circumstances can change. Approach every loan with the understanding that repayment may not happen exactly as planned.
3. Don't Overcomplicate the Arrangement
You probably don't need a lengthy legal contract that resembles a commercial loan agreement. At the same time, avoid relying solely on verbal agreements. A simple written memorandum of understanding can help clarify expectations and prevent future misunderstandings.
4. Don't Ignore the Relationship
The relationship is often more valuable than the money. Protecting the relationship should remain a priority throughout the lending process.
Guarding the Lender's Heart
Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of Christian lending is the condition of the lender's heart. Because money is emotional, lending can easily give rise to pride, frustration, resentment, or a desire for control.
We must continually remind ourselves:
When we lend from a posture of stewardship rather than ownership, we are better equipped to maintain humility and generosity.
Lending With Joy
Ultimately, Christian lending should reflect the character of God. It should restore dignity rather than diminish it. It should encourage responsibility rather than create dependency. It should demonstrate generosity rather than control. And most importantly, it should point both the lender and borrower back to the true Provider.
Whether you choose to give, lend, or help in another way entirely, the goal remains the same: to love others faithfully while stewarding God's resources wisely.
Questions to Consider
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Episode Transcript
Join us every other week as we explore what Biblical stewardship looks like regarding our money, time, relationships, gifts, and experiences.
Plus, get our complementary guide to Biblical giving, and answer the question: “What does the Bible really say about giving?”