Stop the Oppression — A Christian Plea Against Indebting the Brethren

In Nehemiah 5, we find a heart-wrenching scene that reveals the spiritual and social decay of God's people—not at the hands of foreign oppressors, but from their own brethren. During a time of famine and Persian taxation, Jewish families were forced to mortgage their lands, borrow money at high interest, and even sell their children into debt slavery to survive (Nehemiah 5:1–5). The tragedy here is not only economic—it is spiritual. It is a betrayal of brotherhood, mercy, and the fear of God.

Nehemiah, a godly governor and man of integrity, rose in righteous anger and rebuked the nobles:

“Ye exact usury, every one of his brother… Ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?” (Nehemiah 5:7,9, KJV).

He demanded they restore the lands, forgive the debts, and stop taking advantage of their own people. His confrontation reveals a powerful truth: When believers put other believers into financial bondage, they bring shame to the name of God.

The Spiritual Problem with Lending and Borrowing Among Believers

The Bible does not universally forbid lending, but it gives strong warnings—especially in the context of taking advantage of fellow believers:

• Proverbs 22:7 warns, “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
  Lending can create a power dynamic that contradicts the fellowship and equality we are to have in Christ.

• Exodus 22:25 says, “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.”
  God makes a distinction between lending to strangers and lending to “My people.” Charging interest—or using debt to control or enrich oneself at another's expense—is condemned.

• Psalm 15:5 praises the man who “putteth not out his money to usury,” calling him one “that shall never be moved.”
  Integrity in financial dealings is a hallmark of righteous living.

• Luke 6:34–35 – Jesus instructs: “And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye?… But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great…”
  The Christian spirit is one of generosity, not profit-making off the backs of others.

A Call to the Church Today

Sadly, what happened in Nehemiah’s day is still happening today in more modern and subtle forms. Believers are ensnaring one another in personal loans, “rent-to-own” traps, co-signed debts, or business partnerships that end in broken relationships. Even churches sometimes burden members with unspoken expectations of financial reciprocation.

When Christians place one another in financial bondage, they are not just damaging friendships—they are damaging their testimony. Nehemiah asked, “Ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God?” (Nehemiah 5:9). Indeed, we ought. For if we truly fear God, we will deal with each other not as creditors and debtors—but as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Let us follow Nehemiah's example:

• Be outraged at injustice (Neh. 5:6),

• Confront sin lovingly but firmly (Neh. 5:7–9),

• Restore what is rightfully owed to others (Neh. 5:11),

• And lead with personal sacrifice and generosity (Neh. 5:14–18).

Conclusion

Christians are not called to be financial oppressors but faithful stewards. Rather than putting others into debt, let us lift their burdens. Let us remember: “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

Let our testimony be not that we built wealth from our brethren’s poverty, but that we gave generously, expecting nothing in return—just as Christ gave Himself for us.