Borrowing Money

The following question was recently brought to me.

Question: Based on 1 Corinthians 7:20-23, would it be accurate to say that someone called to full-time service for Christ cannot take on debt?

1Co 7:20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
1Co 7:21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
1Co 7:22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
1Co 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

For the sake of clarifying the question, I understand it was asked in the light of Proverbs 22:7, “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”

It appears the question is based on a misunderstanding of the context of the passage in 1 Corinthians 7. A more careful reading of the verses immediately preceding the passage in question reveals the “servant” and “freeman” refer to status at the moment of salvation and are not related to any specific calling to service. The context of the passage is a discussion of a believing spouse with an unbelieving partner. In giving instruction, Paul tells them to remain in the situation in which you came to Christ (v. 17, 20). Were you uncircumcised when you were saved? Stay that way (v. 18). He extends the possible situations to those who were slaves when they were saved (called). Verse 20 admonishes his readers not to seek to alter their earthly status, whether slave (v. 21) or free. In any case, they are no longer men’s servants, but Christ’s (v. 22). Whether you are a slave of free man is really no longer the issue, for you are now the purchased possession of the Lord Jesus Christ, no matter how society views you (v. 23). The passage really has no bearing on the question asked. So, based on 1 Corinthians 7:20-23, it would not be accurate to say that someone called to full-time service for Christ cannot take on debt, as the passage says nothing about either full-time service or debt.

That is not to say, however, there are no principles in Scripture that will help us answer the question. In considering the question apart from the passage in 1 Corinthians, it becomes, “Should someone who is called to the Lord’s service take on debt?” Frequently interpreters will take the position, based on Proverbs 22:7 (and Romans 13:8 out of context), that one should not be in a position of debt to anyone. While the Bible clearly describes the advantages of avoiding debt and the disadvantages of being in debt, there is no Scriptural command, “Don’t borrow money.” In fact, God uses the law to give instructions to His people concerning borrowing and lending (Exodus 22:5; Lev. 25:36-37; Deut. 15:8; 23:19-20; 24:10-13). On condition of obedience, Israel is promised to be the lender rather than the borrower (Deut. 15:6; 28:12-13). In Psalm 112:5, we are told that a good man lends (see also Psalm 37:26). Jesus instructed His disciples to lend to their enemies (Luke 6:36). In 2 Kings 4:1, the record of the prophet’s widow who was in debt, God provided sufficient to pay the debt with no condemnation of the widow’s state. One might conclude that God, rather than strictly forbidding borrowing and lending (which He certainly could have done) chose rather to endow it with Christian principles.

Now, on the other hand, the Scriptures also provide guidance concerning the ramifications of being in debt. Besides making us the servant of the lender (Proverbs 22:7), debt is used in the law as an indication of the displeasure and judgment of God on His people (Deut. 28:44). When considering the effects of debt on Christian service, perhaps Proverbs 22:3 gives better guidance: “A prudent man forseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” Every Christian (not only those called to full-time service) limits his or her ability to respond to the prompting of God’s Spirit by being deeply in debt. As a result, any long term commitments should be carefully and prayerfully undertaken.

Can God bless a Christian who borrows money? Of course He can. He can and he does. Is every instance of borrowing indicative of a lack of faith or in clear violation of the will of God? Absolutely not. God can supply funds supernaturally and He does regularly. He can also heal supernaturally and give the gift of tongues to anyone He chooses. But rather than do so, he most frequently chooses to work through the medical system and language schools. A Christian (or a church) who carefully and prayerfully borrows money is no more demonstrating a lack of faith that one who goes to the doctor.

Just a servant,

Bro. Tom