In the biblical context, the concept of a creditor is often associated with the lending of money or goods and the expectation of repayment. However, the Bible also emphasizes the importance of mercy and compassion in the relationship between creditors and debtors. This entry explores the biblical perspective on creditors who exhibit mercy, drawing from various scriptural passages.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament law provided specific guidelines for creditors, emphasizing the need for mercy and compassion. In Deuteronomy 15:1-2 , the Israelites were instructed to observe a "Year of Release" every seven years, during which debts were to be forgiven: "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 command reflects God's desire for His people to practice mercy and ensure that the poor and needy are not perpetually burdened by debt. The principle of mercy is further underscored in Exodus 22:25 , which instructs, "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."

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets also addressed the issue of merciful creditors. In Isaiah 58:6-7 , the prophet calls for a fast that includes acts of justice and mercy: "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?"

This passage highlights the broader principle of mercy that extends beyond financial transactions, urging God's people to act with compassion and generosity.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus further emphasizes the importance of mercy in financial dealings. In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:23-35), Jesus illustrates the kingdom of heaven through a king who forgives a massive debt owed by his servant. However, the servant fails to show the same mercy to a fellow servant who owes him a much smaller amount. The king's response underscores the expectation of mercy: "Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?" (Matthew 18:33).

This parable teaches that those who have received mercy are expected to extend it to others, including in financial matters. The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in Colossians 3:12-13 , urging believers to "clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Practical Implications

The biblical call for creditors to be merciful has practical implications for Christian living. It challenges believers to prioritize relationships over financial gain and to reflect God's character in their dealings with others. The practice of mercy in lending not only alleviates the burden of debt but also fosters a community marked by love and generosity.

In summary, the Bible presents a clear expectation for creditors to act with mercy and compassion, reflecting the character of God and His desire for justice and kindness among His people.Psalm 112:5
A good man shows favor, and lends: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 18:23-27
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Nave's Topical Index

Luke 7:41-43
There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
Nave's Topical Index

Letter Xli. St. Ambrose in this Letter to his Sister Continues the ...
... only our original debt, He would have seemed more cautious than merciful, and more ...
7. And let no one be startled at the word "creditor." [3576] We were before ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/letter xli st ambrose in.htm

On the Fast of the Tenth Month, vi.
... what more merciful than this retribution, where the judge's sentence rests in the
power of ... in debts which they can never pay, but to be His creditor and His ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xvii on the fast.htm

Forgiven and Unforgiving
... A recognised legal right was exercised by the creditor when he said, 'Take him ... who,
in the former words, seemed so harsh, now is almost incredibly merciful. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/forgiven and unforgiving.htm

The New Sinai
... Merciful men get mercy from God"not, of course, that we deserve mercy by being merciful. ...
He cannot be at once a rapacious creditor and a discharged bankrupt. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the new sinai.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners.
... Let our cry be that of the Publican: "Be merciful to me!""not to some one ... There was
a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/chapter iv grace abounding to.htm

God's Love for Man
... passed before Moses, and proclaimed, "The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious ...
is stern justice,"one who is a severe judge, a harsh, exacting creditor. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 1 gods love for.htm

(On the Lord's Resurrection, ii. )
... whole body of mankind had fallen in our first parents, the merciful God purposed ...
free from debt, He gave Himself up to that most cruel creditor, and suffered ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lxxii on the lords.htm

On the Sinful Woman.
... 1. Hear and be comforted, beloved, how merciful is God ... the harlot embraces Him.'
O Simon, there were two debtors, whose creditor was one only; one owed him five ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/on the sinful woman.htm

The Sufferings of Christ Reconciled with the Goodness of God.
... And hence, although a creditor may show his mercy by releasing his necessitous debtors ...
or that he did not regard his sin: either that he was merciful, or that ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter iii the sufferings of.htm

The Mosaic Law the Fountain of all Ethics, and the Source from ...
... Further, it is said, "Let not the creditor enter the debtor's house to take the
pledge with violence." But let the former ask it to be ... "Be merciful," says the ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xviii the mosaic law the.htm

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

Creditor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus