Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee. Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase. Lev. 25:36,37

He that puts not out his money to usury, nor takes reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Psalm 15:5

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. Ezekiel 22:12

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. Luke 6:34

His money he will not give on usury, and will not take interest…This is a righteous man. He shall surely live, saith the Lord. These words contain a description of the conduct of Christians, a notable exhortation to the blessed life, which is the reward of a life of goodness - everlasting life. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.233

Respecting imparting and communicating, though much might be said, let it suffice to remark that the law prohibits a brother from taking usury. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.366

The following quotes were written as a rebuke to unfaithful Christians:

In borrowing money from heathens under pledged securities, Christians give a guarantee under oath, and deny themselves to have done so… Christ prescribes that there is to be no swearing. Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.3 pg. 75

And now, on the subject of a loan, when He asks, "And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thank have you?" compare with this the following words of Ezekiel, in which He says of the before-mentioned just man, "He has not given his money upon usury, nor will he take any increase" - meaning the redundance of interest, which is usury. The first step was to eradicate the fruit of the money lent, the more easily to accustom a man to the loss, should it happen, of the money itself, the interest of which he had learnt to lose. Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.3 pg.372-373

One gives gifts that he may make another of no account; or if you have lent on usury, taking twenty-four per cent, you wish to bestow charity that you may purge yourself, as being evil, with that which is evil. The Almighty absolutely rejects such works as these. Commodianus (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg. 216

In the fifteenth Psalm: “He that has not given his money upon usury, and has not received gifts concerning the innocent. He who does these things shall not be moved for ever.” Also in Ezekiel: “But the man who will be righteous, shall not oppress a man, and shall return the pledge of the debtor, and shall not commit rapine, and shall give his bread to the hungry, and shall cover the naked, and shall not give his money for usury.” Also in Deuteronomy: “You shall not lend to your brother with usury of money, and with usury of victuals.” Cyprian (A.D. 250) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.5 pg. 546

If (a Christian) shall have lent any money, he will not receive interest, that the benefit may be unimpaired which succors necessity, and that he may entirely abstain from the property of another. For in this kind of duty he ought to be content with that which is his own; since it is his duty in other respects not to be sparing of his property, in order that he may do good; but to receive more than he has given is unjust. And he who does this lies in wait in some manner, that he may gain booty from the necessity of another. But the just man will omit no opportunity of doing anything mercifully: nor will he pollute himself with gain of this kind; but he will so act that without any loss to himself, that which he lends may be reckoned among his good works. Lactantius (A.D. 304-313) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.7 pg. 183

SEE ALSO: OFFERINGS, MATERIALISM, POVERTY PROSPERITY

Return to Index