In the biblical context, the term "creditor" refers to an individual or entity to whom a debt is owed. The Scriptures provide various laws and guidelines concerning the relationship between creditors and debtors, emphasizing justice, mercy, and compassion. These laws are primarily found in the Old Testament and reflect the social and economic structures of ancient Israel.

Old Testament Laws

1. Prohibition of Interest on Loans to Fellow Israelites: The Mosaic Law explicitly forbids charging interest on loans to fellow Israelites. This regulation is intended to prevent exploitation and ensure that the poor are not further burdened by their financial circumstances. In Exodus 22:25 , it is stated, "If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not be like a moneylender to him; you must not charge him interest."

2. Sabbath Year and Debt Release: Every seventh year, known as the Sabbath Year, was a time of debt release. Deuteronomy 15:1-2 instructs, "At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite. He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the LORD’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed." This law underscores the importance of mercy and the recognition of God's provision.

3. Prohibition of Taking Essential Items as Pledges: The law also protects debtors by restricting what a creditor can take as a pledge. Deuteronomy 24:6 states, "Do not take a pair of millstones, not even the upper one, as security for a debt, because that would be taking a man’s livelihood as security." This regulation ensures that a debtor's basic means of survival are not jeopardized.

4. Timely Return of Pledges: If a creditor takes a cloak as a pledge, it must be returned by sunset to ensure the debtor has something to sleep in. Exodus 22:26-27 commands, "If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate."

5. Protection of the Vulnerable: The law emphasizes the protection of widows, orphans, and the poor from harsh treatment by creditors. In Deuteronomy 24:17 , it is written, "Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge."

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not provide specific laws concerning creditors, it reinforces the principles of love, mercy, and forgiveness. Jesus' teachings often highlight the importance of generosity and compassion towards those in need. In the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:23-35), Jesus illustrates the importance of forgiving debts as a reflection of God's forgiveness towards us.

The Apostle Paul also encourages believers to owe nothing except love to one another (Romans 13:8), suggesting that the spirit of the law is fulfilled in love and mutual care within the Christian community.

Conclusion

The biblical laws concerning creditors reflect a divine concern for justice, mercy, and the well-being of the community. These laws serve as a reminder of the importance of compassion and fairness in financial dealings, encouraging believers to act with integrity and kindness in all their interactions.Exodus 21:2-6
If you buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.
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Exodus 22:25-27
If you lend money to any of my people that is poor by you, you shall not be to him as an usurer, neither shall you lay on him usury.
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Leviticus 25:14-17,35-37
And if you sell ought to your neighbor, or buy ought of your neighbor's hand, you shall not oppress one another:
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Deuteronomy 15:2,3
And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lends ought to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbor, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD's release.
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Deuteronomy 23:19,20
You shall not lend on usury to your brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent on usury:
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Deuteronomy 24:6,10-13,17
No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge: for he takes a man's life to pledge.
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Matthew 5:42
Give to him that asks you, and from him that would borrow of you turn not you away.
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Luke 6:34
And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thank have you? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
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The Polity Settled by Moses; and How He Disappeared from among ...
... gave the pledge be rich, let the creditor retain it ... Moreover, he had already delivered
laws in writing [33 ... after they came out of Egypt], concerning which we ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 the polity settled.htm

Excursus on Usury.
... v.), and adds, "with what severe laws the French Kings ... advantage of his necessity,
were in error concerning the facts ... even a bishop might be a creditor on those ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on usury.htm

Whether the Judicial Precepts were Suitably Framed as to the ...
... mutual relations of the citizens be ordered by just laws. ... precepts of the Law, chiefly
those concerning our neighbor ... the Law does not allow the creditor to take ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the judicial precepts were 3.htm

Introduction
... came to stand over man as a creditor, with claims ... Testament there are three expressions
used, concerning which there ... to keep My commandments and My laws" (Ex.16 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/introduction.htm

Commerce
... and charitable contributions, or those concerning the corners of ... Then, as to the
laws regulating trade and ... were the regulations affecting debtor and creditor. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 12 commerce.htm

The Sufferings of Christ Reconciled with the Goodness of God.
... its tendency to vindicate the authority of God's laws, and deter ... And hence, although
a creditor may show his mercy by ... God is not slack concerning his promises. ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter iii the sufferings of.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... This fact was evident from the text of the so-called Sumerian Laws concerning the
Organization of the Family, according to the generally received ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

The New Sinai
... The King proclaims the fundamental laws of His kingdom, and ... the contemplation of
the same facts concerning self as ... cannot be at once a rapacious creditor and a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the new sinai.htm

Matt. xvi. 28
... by no means, had it been spoken merely concerning any one ... being is the debtor; when
he sees his creditor, his mind ... For tell me not of the laws that are without ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lvi matt xvi 28.htm

Homilies on the Statues.
... remission of to men, and a creditor's compared, [905 ... 1024]474, [1025]475, [1026]478;
concerning inveterate swearing ... of Theodosius, [1292]488; the laws of, from ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on the statues.htm

Is it right for a church to go into debt? | GotQuestions.org

Creditor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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