Topical Bible: The Poor: Take No Usury From

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In the biblical context, the treatment of the poor is a significant theme, and the prohibition against taking usury from them is a clear directive found in the Scriptures. Usury, in this context, refers to the practice of charging excessive interest on loans, particularly to those who are impoverished and vulnerable.

Old Testament Teachings

The Mosaic Law explicitly addresses the issue of usury in several passages, emphasizing the importance of compassion and fairness towards the poor. In Exodus 22:25 , the Lord commands, "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." This directive underscores the principle of mercy and the responsibility of the Israelites to care for their fellow community members without exploiting their financial hardships.

Leviticus 25:35-37 further elaborates on this principle: "If your brother becomes impoverished and cannot support himself among you, help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, so that your brother can continue to live among you. You must not lend him your money at interest or sell him your food at a profit." Here, the text highlights the importance of fearing God and acting justly, ensuring that the poor are treated with dignity and respect.

Deuteronomy 23:19-20 also addresses the issue, stating, "Do not charge your brother interest on money, food, or any other type of loan. You may charge a foreigner interest, but not your brother, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything to which you put your hand in the land you are entering to possess." This passage distinguishes between fellow Israelites and foreigners, emphasizing the covenantal relationship among God's people and the blessings associated with obedience to His commands.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets of Israel also spoke against the exploitation of the poor through usury. Ezekiel 18:13 condemns those who engage in such practices: "He lends at interest and takes a profit. Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he will surely be put to death; his blood will be on his own head." This strong language reflects the seriousness with which God views the exploitation of the vulnerable and the moral obligation to uphold justice.

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not explicitly reiterate the Old Testament laws on usury, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles reinforce the principles of love, generosity, and care for the poor. In Luke 6:34-35 , Jesus instructs, "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. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."

This teaching aligns with the broader biblical ethic of selfless love and the call to reflect God's character in our dealings with others, particularly those in need. The early Christian community exemplified this ethic, as seen in Acts 4:34-35 , where believers shared their possessions so that "there were no needy ones among them."

Conclusion

The biblical mandate to refrain from taking usury from the poor is rooted in the character of God, who is just and compassionate. This principle calls believers to act with integrity and mercy, ensuring that the vulnerable are protected and supported within the community of faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 25:36
Take you no usury of him, or increase: but fear your God; that your brother may live with you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether it is a Sin to Take Usury for Money Lent?
... For no man sins through following the example of Christ. ... to any of thy people that
is poor, that dwelleth ... I answer that, To take usury for money lent is unjust ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is a sin.htm

Zacchaeus
... poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he
be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. Take thou no usury ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 61 zacchaeus.htm

Excursus on Usury.
... enjoins that such deposition is to take place only ... to the conclusion that the Church
imposed no penalty on ... gives his acquired wealth to the poor and abstains ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on usury.htm

A Rebuke against Extortion
... The customs of the world are no criterion for the ... Every attempt to take advantage
of the ignorance, weakness ... He became poor that through His poverty we might be ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 54 a rebuke against.htm

On the Third Part of the Psalm.
... Do we then suppose that God also says this, "I take it on ... if Christ be God, of which
there is no doubt, He ... show Himself to be the Surety for the poor, that He ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/on the third part of.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xix. 21,"Go, Sell that Thou Hast ...
... and he said, What shall I do?" I have no room where to ... say to my soul, Thou hast
much goods; take thy pleasure ... in purple and fine linen;" and "the poor man laid ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxxvi on the words.htm

Whether one May Give Alms Out of Ill-Gotten Goods?
... belongs to another, and give alms thereof; or even take something if there be no
other way ... he must ask the owner's consent, and then succor the poor man who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether one may give alms.htm

A Lecture for Little-Faith
... the faith he has shall not have more "Take away from ... ruddy hue in their cheeks their
hands no longer tingles ... or go and catch seven or eight poor ragged children ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/a lecture for little-faith.htm

Wherefore, that Thou May'st be Rightly Disposed Both for Thy Soul ...
... Not only to give poor men meat and drink: but to forgive them that do thee ... as GOD
sends for the time and the day, whatever it be, I take out no manner of ...
/.../chapter vi wherefore that thou.htm

On the Fast of the Tenth Month, vi.
... prophet says, "for when he dieth he shall take nothing away ... is both the proper Surety
[715] for the poor and the ... unjust gain is the cause of by no means unjust ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xvii on the fast.htm