Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Paying Back What You Owe?
19 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Paying Back What You Owe in the Bible
Explore what the Bible says about paying back what you owe. This collection of 20 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.
Top 10 Verses About Paying Back What You Owe
- 1Exodus 22:25
“If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.”
KJV - 2Leviticus 25:35
“And if thy brother be waxen 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. fallen: Heb. his hand faileth relieve: Heb. strengthen”
KJV - 3Deuteronomy 28:43
“The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low.”
KJV - 4Psalms 37:21
“The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.”
KJV - 5Proverbs 3:27
“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. them: Heb. the owners thereof”
KJV - 6Proverbs 6:1
“My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,”
KJV - 7Proverbs 13:18
“Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.”
KJV - 8Proverbs 19:17
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. that which: or, his deed”
KJV - 9Proverbs 22:7
“The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender . the lender: Heb. the man that lendeth”
KJV - 10Proverbs 27:1
“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. to: Heb. to morrow day”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Paying Back What You Owe? (12 Verses)
“If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.”
“And if thy brother be waxen 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. fallen: Heb. his hand faileth relieve: Heb. strengthen”
“The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low.”
“The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.”
“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. them: Heb. the owners thereof”
“My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,”
“Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.”
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. that which: or, his deed”
“The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender . the lender: Heb. the man that lendeth”
“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. to: Heb. to morrow day”
“In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.”
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Paying Back What You Owe? (7 Verses)
“And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.”
“And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.”
“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
“Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Paying Back What You Owe
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about paying back what you owe. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about paying back what you owe and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about paying back what you owe is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on paying back what you owe needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about paying back what you owe with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about paying back what you owe, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Paying Back What You Owe?
You have studied 19 verses about paying back what you owe. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.