The news: Christianity Today published a feature arguing that the church has largely forgotten its historic teaching on usury — the charging of excessive or any interest on loans. The piece draws on biblical texts including Exodus, Leviticus, and the Psalms, contending that Christians have absorbed cultural norms around lending and debt without critically examining them through Scripture.
Why it matters for church leaders: Many Indian churches run benevolence funds, offer emergency loans to members, or partner with microfinance initiatives in their communities. This is a good moment to ask whether your church's financial practices — including how you counsel members drowning in debt — reflect a distinctly biblical ethic or simply mirror the surrounding culture.
The takeaway: Review your church's benevolence and lending policies this quarter and ask whether they reflect generosity and justice, not just financial practicality.
Source: Christianity Today
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