Page 108 - Ecclesiology Textbook Masters

Study Section 14: Should a Church Borrow Money?

14.1 Connect.

One of the major philosophies of the world today is hedonism. This philosophy teaches that
the most important thing a person can do is to satisfy his own desires. “Eat, drink, and be
merry,” they say. Enjoy life! Live for today! This philosophy carries over to influence what
we think about purchasing, borrowing, and saving. It says, if you want something now, then
get it now, even if you have to borrow the funds, the most important thing is that you enjoy
life and get everything you want NOW! Borrowing is a means to an end. It is a way to get
what you desire NOW with tomorrow’s money. Is this a biblical way to think? What does the Bible say
about taking out a loan or borrowing money, especially as it relates to the church? Let’s find out….

14.2 Objectives:

1. The student should be able explain that while the Bible does not forbid borrowing, it does
explicitly warn us to avoid it if at all possible.

2. The student should be able explain the negative consequences to borrowing.

3. The student should be able discuss the concept of church discipline and see when it should be
practiced today in our local churches.

14.3 Should the Church Borrow Money?

Most churches in the US build a church building and associated structures, and for the most
part, churches borrow the money to do so. According to Larry Burkett of Crown Ministries,
approximately 90 percent of all church building programs among churches in the US carry
debts ranging from one to 20 years. The use of debt to build or expand the outreach of a
church is so common a practice today. However, just because a practice is
normal does not mean it is scriptural or that it is best. The question to ask is,
should the church borrow money, even for their buildings?

Borrowing is not prohibited in Scripture. It is discouraged. There are no positive
references to borrowing; in fact, there are explicit warnings to avoid it. "The rich rules over
the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender's slave" (Proverbs 22:7). Thus a unique
relationship is established between a borrower and a lender. It is the same relationship
that a slave has to his master. A person who becomes a slave gives up all personal rights and freedoms
in preference to those desires of his master. He becomes his servant to do what the master bids. He is
not free to come and go, and what he owns really belongs to his master. He gives up all personal
freedoms of self-determination and yields his life to his master. So when the church borrows money,
the church enters into a slave-master relationship with the lender.

In his article, A scriptural approach to church borrowing, Larry Burket posed an important thought when
it comes to church borrowing:

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