https://www.newadvent.org/summa/3078.htm
Here's my attempt to summarize his beliefs (please correct it if it's wrong):
It is a sin for people to lend at interest - things like interest on credit card purchases, car loans, student loan, and mortgages, are considered to be sinful for the lender who lends and expects interest back on the loan, because they are not producing anything and so to take such interest is a kind of theft.
The thief who takes such gains at interest is bound to pay back what was stolen (but is in justice entitled to the principal or the thing or amount loaned if they lawfully possessed it).
The borrower does not sin if they take a loan at interest of necessity: a poor student who must take a student loan to get an education may do so without sin (although it might be worth asking the question if it is possible to fund education without having to take on such loans at interest).
It is lawful to be a landlord and make money from renting things since one owns those things and provides a tangible good or benefit.
It is lawful to make money from investments, since one is a part owner of such a company and such companies produce value.
Not covered in the text: it may be a sin to invest in companies who openly promote sin like "woke" companies, because of one's cooperation with the sin as a part owner of the company (saw another article mention "material" versus "proximate" cooperation in others' sins, does anyone have any input on this?)
Covered but mentioning it for emphasis: The Christian ideal seems to be the opposite of usury, which is to lend without expecting interest nor the principal (what was loaned) to be paid back: "But love ye your enemies: do good, and lend, hoping for nothing thereby: and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the sons of the Highest; for he is kind to the unthankful, and to the evil." (Luke 6:35) It would be lawful however to ask for what was loaned back though - one is not bound to lend without expecting anything back, but this is an ideal to strive towards beyond what is required in strict justice - this is "going the extra mile" morally.
Interesting analysis, however in Matthew 25 :26 (NASB) it reads, “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You worthless, lazy slave! Did you know that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter seed? Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest."
This is a parable told by Jesus about the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus recognized that interest is paid for money deposited, and the only way that works is when a bank loans out money and charges interest. It can then pay the depositors interest on their money.
I would like to add that Jesus also said to return to Caesar what is his when asked about taxes. He was alluding to the fact that if you follow him you will not need money as referenced many times when he encourages those that follow him.
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
9 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.
We are to rely on God alone and not the constructs of man. (mark of the beast)
Realizing the situation for what it was at the time is not an endorsement to continue in the situation.
Jesus did say in Matt 6:24 "“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." Mammon is money, wealth, and material possessions. If a person serves mammon, it would indicate a love for the world, and not a love for the Lord.
I John 2:15-16 says, Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
People who charge high interest rates on borrowed money to take advantage of those in need could easily fall into the group described by John.
Yes!
Must make a clear distinction as I am guilty of loving the world.
“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%208&version=NIV
I think we might nearly be here