Form vs. Substance

1 The Bible teaches us to be good neighbors and good Samaritans, and to be kind to our families and our fellow man; to be fruitful and multiply and to exercise righteous dominion as stewards over all that we might possess.

2 But the Bible tells us also that we should be charitable to those who are in bondage.

3 Not just to those in prison, but to those bound by other freedom-limiting devices such as drugs, perversions, poverty, etc., — and be our brother’s keeper.

4 In the Old Testament, the Bible condemns the charging of usury on loans to the poor, but the intent of the condemnation is not against usury per se, but against taking advantage of the poor, those who should be given loving gifts. See Exodus 22:25, Leviticus 25:35-38.

5 In Deuteronomy 23:19-21, the Bible condemns the charging of usury on loans to members of one’s own family, suggesting that in family relationships one’s motive should be based upon love and trust, instead of commercial or mercantile contracts.

6 However, in the New Testament, at Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:12-27, we read of the condemnation of the slothful servant who failed to exercise responsibility in the management of his master’s money, and the regard given to the servants who put the master’s money to productive work.

7 Through our balanced understanding of these and other Biblical teachings, we can safely say that, except for the poor and members of one’s own family, the charging of usury is not only permissible but encouraged, so that supply will meet the demand.

8 Moreover, the requirement of collateral is simply an example of a lender exercising righteous and responsible dominion over his property, — the thing lent.

9 In Biblical times of difficulty, the wealthy should have done everything within their power to ease the suffering of those in need.

10 But by counting on a continuation of the drought to enable them to foreclose on the land, and multiply their worldly possessions, those men of wealth were planning on tragedy to befall their clients.

11 Tragedy to a borrower means profit to the lender.

12 In other words, the form of these loans was normal and ethical but the substance of them revealed malice.

13 Malice is an attitude, a habit of thought, and Scripture condemns those with malicious attitudes and intents.

14 “For the Lord seeth not as a man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel16:7).

15 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” (Proverbs 23:7). [Scriptural quotations from KJV.]

16 The Bible does not condemn usury as such, — it condemns theft by fraud.

17 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.