Bible Dictionary
INTEREST
Interest is a payment or increase received for lending money or goods. Mosaic law prohibited taking interest from a fellow Israelite in need, while lending on interest to foreigners was permitted; Christ’s parables assume its ordinary use.
Biblical Usage
Mosaic law forbade taking interest from a fellow Israelite in need but permitted lending at interest to a foreigner. Scripture condemns oppressive lending and praises lending without interest to the needy. In the parables of the Pounds and Talents, servants are expected to put their master’s money out at interest.