God's Condemnation of Excessive Interest Rates in Scripture

The Bible speaks clearly about the issue of excessive interest rates, condemning the practice of usury as it takes advantage of the vulnerable. Paul writes in Romans 8:28 that God works all things for the good of those who love Him, but this does not mean that He condones exploitative financial practices. In fact, Scripture warns against charging excessive interest, as seen in the teachings of the Old Testament, where God commanded the Israelites not to charge interest to their brothers, but only to foreigners. This truth addresses the heart of those who would seek to profit from the misfortunes of others, and highlights the importance of treating others with kindness and fairness.

The Reformed theological tradition has long emphasized the importance of living in accordance with Scripture's teachings on economics and finance, recognizing that our financial dealings are not separate from our spiritual lives. This includes avoiding practices that harm or exploit others, such as excessive interest rates, and instead seeking to live in a way that honors God and promotes the well-being of our neighbors. A common misconception is that the Bible is silent on economic matters, but in reality, Scripture provides clear guidance on how to live in a way that is pleasing to God, including in our financial dealings.

The gospel connection to this truth is that Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to treat others with the same kindness and compassion that we would want for ourselves. As those who have been redeemed by God's grace, we are called to live in a way that reflects His character, including in our financial dealings. This means avoiding exploitative practices like excessive interest rates, and instead seeking to promote the well-being of those around us, just as God has promoted our own well-being through the gift of salvation.