Where does the Bible say not to be in debt?

Asked by: Buster Abshire  |  Last update: May 12, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (45 votes)

The most prominent Bible verse about not being in debt is Romans 13:8, which says, "Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law" (ESV), strongly encouraging believers to pay debts promptly and avoid owing anyone, except the ongoing debt of love. Other key verses include Proverbs 22:7, warning that "the borrower is slave to the lender," and Proverbs 22:26-27, advising against co-signing for loans.

Where in the Bible does it say to avoid debt?

Avoid Debt When Possible

Romans 13:8 takes this further: “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.” While some interpret this as prohibiting all debt, most biblical scholars view it as encouraging prompt payment and responsible borrowing practices.

What does Proverbs 22:7 say about debt?

Proverbs 22:7 says, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” If you owe someone money, they'll control your life until you pay it back.

What does the Bible not say about debt?

While the Bible offers many warnings about the dangers of debt, it never says that you are out of God's will or violating one of God's commandments when you borrow. We can debate the wisdom of incurring debt under certain circumstances, but it's never a black-and-white issue.

Is it a sin to be in financial debt?

What the Bible Says About Debt. According to the Psalmist, the borrower is reckoned as wicked because of the choice not to repay the debt, not simply because he or she owed it. This Scripture does not condemn debt outright, nor label borrowers as sinful.

FREE YOURSELF FROM DEBT WITH THESE POWERFUL SCRIPTURES

29 related questions found

What is the #1 worst sin?

There's no single #1 worst sin; it depends on the religious or moral framework, but pride is often called the root of all evil (Christianity/Islam), while the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (unforgivable sin) is considered the gravest in the Bible. Other severe sins include child abuse (Catholicism) and sins that "cry to Heaven" (like shedding innocent blood or oppressing the poor). 

Is not paying debt a mortal sin?

PAYMENT OF DEBTS

If you really cannot pay your debts you do not commit sin by not paying them. No one is bound to do what is impossible. Those who, through no fault of their own, are genuinely unable to pay deserve compassion and kind treatment. Their inability must be genuine.

Is it biblical to be debt free?

In fact, the Apostle Paul teaches in Romans 13:8 (NKJV) that we shouldn't owe anything to anyone aside from love. He wrote, “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” The Bible doesn't just warn about you going into debt either.

What does Proverbs 14 23 say?

Proverbs 14:23 states that "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty," emphasizing that diligent effort yields real results, while empty words and talk without action lead to loss and lack, encouraging productive endeavors over idle conversation. The verse contrasts the tangible benefits of labor with the ultimate scarcity that comes from only speaking about goals without taking action. 

Does God want us to be in debt?

You probably already know this intuitively, but God makes it clear in the Bible: Debt is not a good thing. Yet many people find themselves drowning in debt. Moving forward, they would be willing to pay as they go if they could just finish paying for where they've been. That's what God wants for you too.

What did Jesus say about debts?

Matthew 6:12 is Jesus' second reference to lending- related terms, this time focusing on our debt to God and those in debt to us: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Like Matthew 5:42 above, this teaching is included in the Sermon on the Mount, directed both to the disciples and the world ...

What does Proverbs 11:24 say about money?

Proverbs 11:24 teaches a paradox about money: giving freely leads to greater wealth, while being stingy results in poverty, directly opposing worldly advice to hoard; it suggests generosity brings spiritual and material abundance by changing our perspective from ownership to stewardship, revealing God's provision for those who use resources to help others. 

Is Proverbs 22:6 a warning?

Yes, Proverbs 22:6 ("Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it") can function as a warning, especially when read through a Hebrew lens that suggests it's about guiding a child in their natural, self-centered way (sinful nature), meaning if you let them have their own selfish way, they will continue in it as adults; however, many also view it as an encouragement to dedicate a child to God's path, which they are likely to stick with, making it a proverb about the power of early formation, whether good or bad, rather than a guarantee. 

What are three biblical dangers of debt?

Three Spiritual Dangers of Debt

  • Debt presumes on the future. “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow…” — ...
  • Debt denies God the opportunity to show His love and provision and to teach us through denial. ...
  • Debt fosters envy and greed.

How to break the spirit of debt?

Six Steps on the Path to Overcoming Debt

  1. Put God first in your finances. Putting God first is a matter of trust; it's saying to God, “What I have is in Your hands. ...
  2. Admit money isn't the problem. Money itself isn't evil. ...
  3. Resolve to attack your debt. ...
  4. Make a budget and stick to it. ...
  5. Save and reduce spending. ...
  6. Celebrate!

What does God say about struggling financially?

God's message on financial struggles emphasizes trusting Him for provision, seeking His kingdom first, avoiding debt, and practicing stewardship, with promises of support for the righteous while encouraging prudence, as seen in verses like Philippians 4:19 (God supplies needs), Matthew 6:33 (seek first God's kingdom), and Proverbs 22:7 (borrower is slave to lender). 

What does John 4:23 teach us?

John 4:23 reminds us that “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. For they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” Years ago, I adopted the habit of beginning every prayer with worship. I center on specific attributes of God's character that are relevant to my prayer.

What does Matthew 14:23 say?

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

What does Isaiah 14/22/23 mean?

God is again active in the conclusion of the song, where Isaiah once again makes it clear that the destruction of the king was the result of divine judgment (vv. 22, 23), His actions creating the frame around the poem, emphasizing that God is faithful in fulfilling His promise of providing rest for His people.

Is it a sin not to pay debt?

While being in debt is not a sin, Romans 13:8 tells the Christian to avoid being in debt. Sinners borrow from others and never return what they borrowed (Psalm 37:21). Christians should not besmirch the name of Christ by being a deadbeat.

Where in the Bible does it say he canceled the debt?

“You, who were dead in your trespasses . . . God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us” (Col. 2:13-14).

How to pray to get out of debt?

I come before You today, weary and overwhelmed, asking for divine intervention. This cycle of debt has drained my peace, my joy, and my strength. But I believe You are greater than any financial mountain I face. In the name of Jesus: I break the spirit of financial bondage over my life.

How to deal with debt biblically?

It's a Spiritual Principle: We Reap What We Sow (Galatians 6:7) I've discovered the best way to deal with money is to give it away. This is a key factor in helping us to maintain a biblical focus on our finances. And we need to keep on giving, especially during challenging financial times.

What is the biggest sin in Christianity?

The biggest sin in Christianity is often considered blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, described as the unforgivable or eternal sin, meaning it's not forgiven because it's a rejection of God's grace and salvation, though other sins like pride (a root of all evil) and rejecting Christ are also seen as foundational transgressions. Different Christian traditions emphasize different sins, but the Bible points to a deliberate, persistent turning away from God as the most serious offense. 

What does Jeremiah 33:3 say?

Jeremiah 33:3 is a promise from God encouraging people to call out to Him in prayer, promising that He will answer and reveal "great and mighty things, which you do not know". It's a message of hope and revelation, inviting communication with God, especially during difficult times, and assuring believers He will provide wisdom, guidance, and breakthroughs beyond human understanding.