Owe Nothing Except Love

April 14th, 2025
by Lance Waldie

Romans 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another.

The Bible is not a book full of random verses instructing people to do and not do certain things. “Owe nothing to anyone,” for example, if taken out of context, might lead some to believe that Christians should never have a stitch of debt at any time for any reason. But in reality, neither the OT nor the NT categorically forbids borrowing and lending.

The Mosaic Law (Genesis to Deuteronomy) did require that, “If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, you are not to act as a creditor to him; you shall not charge him interest” (Exod. 22:25; cf. Ps. 15:5). So clearly, if God allowed the practice of lending money, then borrowing was not inherently wrong. Likewise, the topic of charging interest was also given to the Jews: “…in case a countryman of yours becomes poor and his means with regard to you falter, then you are to sustain him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you. Do not take usurious interest from him, but revere your God, that your countryman may live with you” (Lev. 25:35-36; cf. Neh. 5:7; Ezek. 22:12). Note Psalm 37:21, 26: “The righteous is gracious and gives… All day long he is gracious and lends; and his descendants are a blessing.” And Proverbs 19:17 says, “He who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed.” Those who lend to the poor, therefore, must be prepared to never be repaid by the borrower, but he will no doubt be repaid by God for his generosity.

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7; Luke 6), actually approved of borrowing when He said, “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you” (Matt. 5:42). Further, Jesus appears to give approval for borrowing financially for the purpose of investing as can be seen in the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30). For the two men in the parable who invested properly were praised while the one who failed to do so was rebuked for at least failing to earn some interest on the loan: “You ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest” (v. 27). So, if all borrowing was evil, then Jesus certainly missed a fine opportunity to say so.

Therefore it is evident that both the OT and the NT justify borrowing money. Now it is obviously for those who have serious financial needs with no other alternative to sustain themselves, and repayment is necessary for the borrower. All Christians, insofar as they are able, should be open to lending money to those in need without charging interest, not expecting to be repaid. Lending to the poor without expectation of payment is in fact a virtue. But charging interest to one seeking to profit from the loan is also not a sin. It’s just a good business practice. This goes for purchasing a home, a car, or building a church—none of which are sinful.

Of course many businesses, including banks, earn their living based upon charging interest. Some of these companies would be completely unable to function without lending to receive interest or without borrowing to invest in such things as buildings, equipment, and raw materials. Small businesses and farmers, for instance, could not get started making a living without loans to get them started. And most families could never afford to purchase a home without the freedom to borrow money. In the end, the investment of a 30-year mortgage may work better than simply paying rent over that time period. But one thing is certain: payment of one’s debt is absolutely essential. For to “own nothing to anyone” entails paying what you owe in a timely manner.

Food For Thought
Paul had one thought in mind in Romans 13:8, namely that we as Christians owe nothing to anyone “except to love one another.” That is a debt that can never be fully repaid. It entails an ongoing act of charity to everyone we meet, whether family, Christian, or enemy.