Is Debt a Sin?

I read a quote recently that implied to be in debt is sinful, though the Bible says nothing of the kind.  It is true that unnecessary debt can be accrued by those who live beyond their means from a heart of dissatisfaction with what God has provided and reveal a lack of contentment.  Debt could be a result of sinful greed, but it would be presumptuous to suggest owing money is an indication of a spiritual malady.

Before exploring the idea further, let us consider the 1828 Webster definition of debt:  "1) That which is due from one person to another, whether money, goods, or services:  that which one person is bound to pay or perform to another; 2) that which any one is obliged to do or to suffer; 3) in law, an action to recover a debt; 4) in scripture, sin; trespass; guilt; crime; that which renders liable to punishment; "Forgive us our debts."  These definitions point out that all people are inherently in debt to God, for we owe Him our lives.  By virtue of living on the earth under government He has established we owe taxes on necessary purchases.  Jesus was obligated to pay the temple tax, and this was not due to His sinfulness.  He promptly paid the tax when questioned.  Jesus said we are to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.  This suggests all of us are indebted to both government and God without exception.

Romans 13:7-8 reads, "Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honour. ⁸ Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law."  This context of these verses is not the prohibition of debt but not to keep owing anyone anything:  the only continuing debt a believer has is to continue loving one another.  Quoting from the Bible Knowledge Commentary:  "This is not a prohibition against a proper use of credit; it is an underscoring of a Christian’s obligation to express divine love in all interpersonal relationships. A Christian should never fall short, and so be “in debt,” in loving others."  Should a believer have debts, we should make good on paying them.  The New Testament does not establish new laws concerning financial management believers must observe.  Paul's exhortation follows on from the principle contained in Proverbs 3:28:  "Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it," when you have it with you."  When we owe we ought not procrastinate or forgo paying whether it be a one-off payment or a monthly installment.  Since God has given us His active love we should never withhold it.

The Bible contains warnings against those who co-sign on loans without having adequate capital like Proverbs 22:26-27:  "Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, one of those who is surety for debts; ²⁷ if you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?"  Doing so can be presumptuous and foolish.  There are times, like in the parable of the Good Samaritan who took the wounded man to the inn, it is loving and commendable to be indebted for the good of others.  Jesus said in Luke 10:35, "On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'"  My flesh is not at all comfortable to give someone a blank check, yet when we are obedient to the LORD in faith He will supply our needs in His time and way.

Every one of us has a debt of sin we could never pay, and praise the LORD He has sent Jesus Christ to wash us clean of every one.  We all have a debt of gratitude and thanksgiving we ought to pay continually, walking in the grace of God and love for Him and others.  When we withhold love, grace and mercy from others because they have financial debt, spiritually we could be in a worse state then they are financially.  How blessed we are to receive the grace and forgiveness of God!  We are bound, not by the duty of law, but by the love of God to walk in His ways in glorify His name.