In biblical times, the issue of defrauding creditors was a significant concern, reflecting broader themes of justice, righteousness, and the ethical treatment of others. The Bible addresses the moral and legal obligations of debtors to their creditors, emphasizing the importance of honesty and integrity in financial dealings.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides numerous laws and guidelines regarding debt and the treatment of creditors. In the Mosaic Law, there are explicit instructions to ensure fair treatment in financial transactions. For instance, Exodus 22:25-27 states, "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? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate."

This passage highlights the expectation that creditors should not exploit the vulnerable, and it underscores the importance of compassion and fairness. The law also provided for the release of debts every seven years, as seen in Deuteronomy 15:1-2 : "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."

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets frequently condemned the defrauding of creditors as part of their broader critique of social injustice. Amos, for example, speaks against those who "trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth and turn aside the way of the afflicted" (Amos 2:7). Such actions were seen as violations of God's covenant and indicative of a society that had strayed from divine principles.

In Jeremiah 34:14 , the prophet reminds the people of the command to release Hebrew slaves in the seventh year, a practice that was often neglected, leading to exploitation and injustice: "Every seventh year each of you must free any fellow Hebrew who has sold himself to you. After he has served you six years, you must let him go free. But your fathers did not listen or incline their ear."

New Testament Insights

The New Testament continues to uphold the principles of honesty and integrity in financial matters. Jesus' teachings often addressed the broader issues of wealth, debt, and the treatment of others. In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:23-35), Jesus illustrates the importance of mercy and forgiveness, contrasting the behavior of a servant who, after being forgiven a great debt, refuses to forgive a smaller debt owed to him by another.

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the ethical treatment of others in financial matters. In Romans 13:8 , he writes, "Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." This exhortation reflects the broader biblical principle that love and justice should govern all interactions, including those involving debt and credit.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, the defrauding of creditors is consistently condemned as contrary to God's will for justice and righteousness. The biblical narrative calls for a community where financial dealings are marked by fairness, compassion, and integrity, reflecting the character of God Himself.1 Samuel 22:2
And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves to him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 16:5-7
So he called every one of his lord's debtors to him, and said to the first, How much owe you to my lord?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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What does the Bible say about going into debt? | GotQuestions.org

I am a Christian in debt. What should I do? | GotQuestions.org

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

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