Borrowing, in the context of the Bible, is a topic that encompasses financial, moral, and spiritual dimensions. The Scriptures provide guidance on the practice of borrowing, emphasizing the importance of wisdom, responsibility, and integrity.

Biblical Principles on Borrowing

1. Caution and Prudence: The Bible advises caution when it comes to borrowing. Proverbs 22:7 states, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender." This verse highlights the potential bondage and loss of freedom that can result from debt. It serves as a warning to consider the long-term implications of borrowing and to avoid unnecessary debt.

2. Repayment Obligations: The Scriptures emphasize the importance of repaying debts. Psalm 37:21 notes, "The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving." This verse underscores the moral obligation to fulfill one's commitments and the ethical distinction between the righteous and the wicked based on their handling of debts.

3. Avoiding Excessive Debt: The Bible encourages living within one's means and avoiding excessive debt. Romans 13:8 advises, "Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." This passage suggests that the only debt Christians should carry is the ongoing obligation to love others, implying that financial debts should be minimized or avoided.

4. Trust in God's Provision: The Scriptures encourage believers to trust in God's provision rather than relying solely on borrowing. Philippians 4:19 assures, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." This promise invites Christians to depend on God's faithfulness and provision, seeking His guidance in financial matters.

5. Generosity and Lending: While borrowing is addressed with caution, the Bible also speaks to the virtue of lending with generosity. In Luke 6:34-35, Jesus teaches, "And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return." This passage encourages a spirit of generosity and selflessness in lending, reflecting God's grace and mercy.

Historical and Cultural Context

In biblical times, borrowing and lending were common practices, often necessary for survival in agrarian societies. The Law of Moses provided regulations to protect borrowers from exploitation. For example, Exodus 22:25-27 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. 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?" These laws aimed to ensure fairness and compassion in financial dealings.

Spiritual Implications

Borrowing, when done without wisdom or integrity, can lead to spiritual trouble. It can distract believers from their reliance on God and create unnecessary burdens. The Bible encourages a heart of contentment and trust in God's provision, as seen in Hebrews 13:5: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said, 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.'"

In summary, the Bible provides a balanced view of borrowing, urging caution, responsibility, and a reliance on God's provision. It calls believers to live with integrity, fulfill their obligations, and practice generosity, reflecting the character of Christ in all financial matters.Matthew 6:25-34
Therefore I say to you, Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Nave's Topical Index

Mark 5:35,36
While he yet spoke, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Your daughter is dead: why trouble you the Master any further?
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John 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me.
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John 16:6,7
But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
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Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
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1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your care on him; for he cares for you.
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Rejoicing in the Lord
... Some are always fearing, and borrowing trouble. Every day they are surrounded
with the tokens of God's love; every day they are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 13 rejoicing in the.htm

The First Evangelists
... conforming to the world, by uncourteous behavior, by the love of their own opinions,
by justifying self, by cherishing doubt, borrowing trouble, and dwelling ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 37 the first evangelists.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. [Each day has trouble enough
without adding to it by borrowing somewhat from the morrow. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 6.htm

"Good-For-Nothing"
... nothing; I was good for something then, it seems, before I had known so much trouble. ...
We went on borrowing and borrowing; all our things had to be sold, one by ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/good-for-nothing.htm

Against the Opinion of those who do not Believe that the Primitive ...
... longing to return again to the body." [602] Virgil is applauded for borrowing this
from ... be suffered to attach to their flesh, nor any grief or trouble to cloud ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 19 against the opinion of.htm

A Stanza of Deliverance
... address, must needs write to me an account of their trouble, despondency, and ... word
"borrowed", it might mean nothing amiss, for all borrowing and nonpayment is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/a stanza of deliverance.htm

Labors in a New Field
... preacher who lived in the neighborhood, and who had heard of our trouble with the ...
First she began borrowing money from me now and then to get what she needed. ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xi labors in a.htm

Of the Navigation of King Agrippa to Rome, to Tiberius Caesar; and ...
... for procuring him so much as he wanted for that purpose, by borrowing such a sum ...
be appointed, and return upon him; and so he should bring trouble upon himself ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 of the navigation.htm

The Synoptists.
... These difficulties are felt by the ablest advocates of the borrowing hypothesis,
and ... of Matthew and Mark which would have spared him much trouble and which he ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 79 the synoptists.htm

Matt. v. 38, 39, 40
... at the law," that is, "if he drag thee into court, and give thee trouble.". ... But by
"borrowing," here, He means not the compact with usury, but the use merely. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xviii matt v 38.htm

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