Recently in one of our Bible Study classes, the question was asked, “If someone borrows money from you, aren’t they supposed to pay you back?” This question generated a lively discussion amongst some of the members of the class. The person who asked the question was adamant that a person who borrows should pay the lender back. He stated that his finances were not in such good standing that he could overlook the debt and release it as a gift.     

Another person felt that when he made a loan, he considered it a gift. He was not saying that he did not expect his money back, but if he did not get it back, he was not going to lose any sleep over it for when he loaned it, there may have been some doubt about repayment. He understood the possibility of not receiving payment and felt comfortable in making the loan. Just maybe he felt that jeopardizing a relationship was not worth the loan and preferred it being a gift.  

The problem for some members of the class was the fact that borrowers too often ignored or failed to acknowledge that they owed the lender. Even though the promissory note expiration date had long passed, the borrower seemed oblivious to the loan. There were occasions the borrower was seen in public, but never made mention or acknowledged the loan or a payoff date.

We must remember that there are occasions when persons fall on hard times and just need a blessing from someone else. Maybe we can look at it this way. The person comes to us to borrow because they know we have it to loan. To be able to do so should be a blessing to us and the borrower. It should be a good feeling when we can reach out and help someone in need, but there are those who borrow and has no intention of paying the lender back. Trust me, things will not get any better for them as they matriculate through life intentionally using folk.

There were others who quoted scriptures that supported the lender and the borrower.    

Deuteronomy 15:7-8 says, “If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs.”

In the New Testament, Jesus tells us not to “turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:42).  

I heard a person once say, “Before borrowing money from a friend, decide which one you need most.” There are instances where friendships or relationships have been lost because of lending money. 

The psalmist makes it very clear that we are to repay our debts (Psalm 37:21). It is written, “The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives.” If we do not wish to be considered wicked by God, we should pay back any money we have borrowed.     

There is no scripture that expressly forbid borrowing money, it does not encourage it either. With that being said, one could surmise that there is nothing wrong with loaning money and expecting to be repaid. May we also remember what Jesus taught us, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38). 

Let’s make one thing very clear, the lender should evaluate the character of the borrower before making a loan. Too often we make loans to help persons bail out of their present situation knowing that nothing is going to change. It is like borrowing money to pay the rent for this month, knowing that next month will be the same. It would be like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. 

Most people who borrow have good intentions of repaying their loans, but sometimes life just does not seem to work in their favor.

There are other scriptures you may wish to use to justify your position on borrowing and lending, but let us remember that we are God’s children and He expects us to use Christian principles in matters such as this. There should be a spirit of graciousness in lending to others, if not, do not lend.

For all of us, I would imagine there are more success stories about loaning money than there are unsuccessful ones.

Not a sermon, just my thoughts!

Robert Earl Slade, Pastor