Does the Bible condemn
usury or interest?
Usury is interest, especially exorbitant interest or interest charged to the poor that cannot afford it for legitimate needs (Ps 15:5; Pr 28:8). God commanded Israel not to charge its own people interest (Ex 22:25), but they could charge interest to the pagans around them (Deut 23:19-20). Therefore, you may invest or loan to those in the world and receive interest, dividends, or other increase from pagans, but you should be willing to loan your money to poor brethren for legitimate needs without interest, though you could charge interest if appropriate for a poor man’s unnecessary business venture.