Lending was originally commanded by God, through His law, under Moses.  The command was reiterated by Jesus in the New Testament.  Our problem, as is often the case, is we use modern definitions to define Biblical terms.  People often think they’ve found a loophole when they see that lending is a command.  “If I’m to lend to people, that means I’m putting a brother in debt.  If debt is really a sin, then God wouldn’t command us to lend, right?”  Wrong.

“If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him, like a stranger or sojourner, that he may live with you.  Take no usury or interest from him; but fear your God, that your brother may live with you.  You shall not lend him your money for usury, nor lend him your food at a profit.  I am the Lord your God, who brought  you out of the land of Egypt, to give you  the land of Canaan and to be your God.”  (Leviticus 25:35-38)

This passage shows us not only the command to lend to the poor, it also shows us the criteria to be a borrower.  Borrowing is allowed if a brother falls into poverty.  The literal translation is “his hand fails”, indicating that the breadwinner in the family receives some crippling injury, and can no longer support his household.  You’re allowed to borrow to sustain life.  That’s it.  A mortgage or a flat-screen TV are not reasons to go into financial debt, according to God’s standard.

As for lending, we’re commanded by God to lend to our brothers and sisters in Christ if they have a need, and we’re also commanded to lend to our enemies.  As he did so many times, Jesus clarifies His Law for us in the New Testament:

“And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.  But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High.  For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.  Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”  (Luke 6:34-36)

Biblical lending means we lend from what God has blessed us with, and expect nothing in return.  If we provide a brother or sister with food, cash, or other assistance, we are to expect NOTHING in return.  If they pay us back, fine.  If not, fine.  God provides us with everything we have to begin with.  In fact, we’re commanded to lend to people who really have no opportunity or means to pay us back in the first place.

If they’ve fallen into poverty, or their hand has failed, we are to lend and expect nothing back.  While this may have been confusing in the time of Moses, it was actually a picture of the Gospel.  Here’s a paraphrase of God’s command:  “Lend to someone who has no way of repaying the debt to you.”

It may not have made sense at the time, but this was a picture of God’s grace.  He has forgiven a debt owed each of His elect, that we can never hope to repay.  We are indebted to God for our salvation, and none of our works can ever recompense Him for that.