Posted on: 20th November 2025

What does the bible say about debt? Part 2

In my last blog (What does the bible say about debt? Part 1) I concluded: All in all, although scripture accepts the existence and occasional usefulness of borrowing, its counsel is, "avoid the use of debt, but where necessary, be careful"! Well then, how to be careful? Here I offer you six questions to ask yourself before getting into debt. 

1. Will you still have money left over at the end of the month?
A debt acquired means a repayment incurred. As we established in Blog 1, repayment of debt is a biblical obligation so the first calculations are, can I afford to repay it each month? Will I still have enough left over for the rest of my living costs? Proverbs 21:20 counsels, “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down."  I.e. make sure you have surplus and can build up some “stores”. 

2. Does taking on this debt meet a core goal?
In Luke 14:28-30 we hear Jesus advise about setting financial goals, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” Good financial decision-making starts with setting good financial goals. Yours might be: the ability to be generous; to start a business; or to replace the car. So the question is, “which of your life goals does the debt you are considering help you achieve – a goal you can achieve no other way?”

3. Is the Benefit Less Than the Cost of Repaying It?
If your car loan is going to cost £400pm are you going to enjoy £400pm benefit? It’s hard to compare apples and bananas but, if the car enables you to do your job not just take you to the supermarket then you might consider it worth the money. If a £1,000pm mortgage provides a home for your family, not just help you keep up with the Kardashians, then you might consider that extension worthwhile. A Klarna loan to help you with shopping will feel worth it in month 1 but less so in month 6. 

4. Do you have a guaranteed way to repay the debt?
"The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” (Psalm 37:21). A lender shouldn’t even offer you a loan if you can’t afford the repayments. However, would you be able to repay the entire loan in one go - should your circumstances change? A mortgage can usually be repaid by selling the house but if you have borrowed for a holiday or clothing how will you repay if you have to? Do you have savings or another asset you can sell?

5. Do you have peace of mind?
Philippians 4:6-7 reassures us: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." You have considered whether this financial decision is affordable; meets a God-given goal; provides a value in excess of its cost and could be repaid if necessary. If it is all these things and yet taking on the debt still generates anxiety rather than peace, think again. 

6. Is Your Spouse in Full Agreement?
For those who are married Paul’s observation in 1 Corinthians 7 is that husbands and wives should be attentive to each other’s concerns - a financial commitment is always a joint concern. If you are not married confide in someone else (a small-group leader or a close friend?) For all of us teamwork is essential, " Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.." Ecclesiastes 4:12. You may have convinced yourself that taking this loan is a good idea – but can you convince your spouse or friend?

If you have got this far and all is OK – go ahead and borrow. And may the Lord bless your financial plans!

By David Flowers, Leeds Vineyard

Useful Links
Christians Against Poverty - https://capuk.org/
StepChange - https://www.stepchange.org/
Money Buddies - https://moneybuddies.org.uk/