When Permission Meets Responsibility

A Biblical Look at the Difference Between Borrowing and Stealing

When we talk about borrowing, it may seem like a small and simple topic, but the Bible shows us it is actually a matter of integrity, love, and respect. Borrowing without asking may feel minor to some, but in God’s eyes it is never a harmless mistake. It crosses the line into something more serious, because it touches directly on how we treat one another. Borrowing, when done rightly, is built upon permission, trust, and responsibility. Stealing, on the other hand, ignores permission entirely and shatters trust. One honors the other person, while the other disregards them.

In Exodus 22:14, we find a very straightforward command: “If someone borrows something from you, and it gets damaged or lost while they are using it, they must pay you back.” The Hebrew word used here for “borrows” is לָוָה (lavah)—to join oneself to, to bind, or to borrow. It is a word that carries the sense of an agreement or bond between two people. When someone lends, and someone else borrows, they are binding themselves in a small covenant of trust. The one who borrows is saying, “I will take care of this as if it were my own, and I will return it.” If it is damaged or lost while under their care, God makes it clear that restitution must be made. In other words, borrowing is never free of responsibility. It comes with the weight of obligation, because property is not ours to treat carelessly.

This is why God also warns in Leviticus 6:2-5 about what happens when someone takes without permission. The Hebrew phrase for “taking without permission” is גָּזַל (gazal)—to seize violently, to steal. The passage says that if anyone wrongs another by taking something without permission, they must not only restore it but add one-fifth to its value. The difference is striking. Borrowing with permission requires careful responsibility. But taking without permission—stealing—requires restitution plus an additional cost, because the act itself was unjust. It did not simply inconvenience the owner; it violated the relationship of trust and fairness between neighbors.

The wisdom of Proverbs 22:7 reminds us that “the borrower is servant to the lender.” The Hebrew word for servant here is עֶבֶד (‘eved)—slave, servant, one in obligation. This verse pulls back the curtain on what borrowing really is. It is not just about getting something we need for a while. It puts us into a place of obligation, almost servitude, because we are now accountable to return what we borrowed. Borrowing may feel casual in our modern culture, but Scripture tells us it is a serious matter. When we take something without asking, we not only rob the person of their property but also take away their right to choose whether or not they want to enter into that agreement of trust.

Jesus’ words in Luke 6:31—“Do to others what you would want them to do to you”—cut to the heart of this matter. None of us would want someone to walk into our home, take something of ours, and justify it by saying they planned to bring it back. We would feel disrespected, even violated. And if the item were returned damaged, we would feel the wound even deeper. Borrowing rightly means caring for the other person’s property as though it were our own, with the same tenderness and caution we would expect from them if the roles were reversed.

Paul expands this idea of obligation in Romans 13:7, saying, “Give everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect.” The Greek word for owe here is ὀφείλω (opheilō)—to be bound by duty, to be under obligation. Paul is not only talking about money; he is speaking about every kind of debt we owe, including the debt of respect and honesty in our dealings with others. If we borrow something, we owe the person respect in the form of asking first, care in using it, and integrity in returning it. If we take without asking, we have failed to pay what we owe, and now we must restore not only the item but also the broken trust.

At the same time, Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:42, “Give to anyone who asks you, and don’t turn away from someone who wants to borrow from you.” This reminds us that while the borrower has responsibility, the lender also has a calling to generosity. The Greek word for borrow here is δανείζω (danizō)—to lend for mutual benefit. Jesus is teaching us that as children of God, we should not have hard hearts when someone comes to us in need. But notice that Jesus still says, “who wants to borrow.” There is still a request, still permission given. He does not say, “Take without asking.” God loves generosity, but He also upholds respect and order.

And in Ephesians 4:28, Paul draws a sharp line: “Anyone who has been stealing must stop and start working, doing something useful with their hands, so they can have something to share with those in need.” The Greek word for stealing here is κλέπτω (kleptō)—to steal, to take by stealth. It is the same root from which we get the English word “kleptomaniac.” Paul doesn’t just say to stop stealing; he tells us what to do instead—work with our hands so that we can give. The shift is from taking without permission to becoming people of generosity. It is a picture of transformation: from selfishness to service, from grasping to giving.

All of this shows us that borrowing without asking isn’t just a small mistake—it is a breach of love, fairness, and integrity. Borrowing rightly is built upon asking for permission, taking responsibility, and returning the item in good condition. Stealing, by contrast, is taking without consent, and it brings harm not only to the other person but also to our own character and our witness as followers of Christ.

As believers, we are called to live differently. We are called to show respect for others’ property, to treat their belongings with care, and to walk in integrity in even the smallest matters. Because in the end, it is not about the borrowed item—it is about love for neighbor, honesty before God, and a life that reflects the One we belong to.

When we think about the seriousness of borrowing and the weight of responsibility it carries, the story of the prophets in 2 Kings 6:1-7 gives us a vivid picture. The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “The place where we dwell with you is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, and each of us get a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell.” Elisha agreed, and as they were cutting down trees, one man’s iron axe head flew off and fell into the water. He cried out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed!”

Notice the panic in his voice. He didn’t say, “Oh no, I lost an axe head,” but specifically, “It was borrowed.” The Hebrew word used here for borrowed is שָׁאַל (sha’al)—to ask, to request, to seek permission. This young prophet had asked to use an axe that was not his own. Losing it was not just an inconvenience; it was a breach of trust. Iron tools were rare and expensive in those days, so this was no small loss. But more than that, his integrity was at stake. He knew the seriousness of having borrowed what belonged to another.

Elisha responded with compassion. He asked where it had fallen, cut a stick, and threw it into the water, and by a miracle of God, the axe head floated. The man was able to retrieve it and restore what he had borrowed. This miracle wasn’t just about iron defying gravity—it was about God caring for the heart of a servant who wanted to remain faithful to his word. It tells us that even in matters that might seem small, like a borrowed tool, God sees the weight of integrity and provides a way to uphold it.

This story brings us back to the truth we saw earlier in Exodus 22:14. Borrowing isn’t casual—it carries responsibility. And when we treat borrowed things as if they were nothing, we dishonor both our neighbor and God, who sees and cares about our dealings with one another.

Now, if we look deeper into the law, we see that God’s commands about lending and borrowing were not just about property but about cultivating a community of trust, fairness, and care. In Deuteronomy 24:10-13, God instructed Israel that if someone borrowed, the lender was not to go into their house to take the pledge. Instead, the borrower was to bring it out. And if the borrower was poor and had given their cloak as security, the lender was required to return it by nightfall so that the borrower could sleep in it. The Hebrew word for pledge here is עֲבוֹט (‘avot)—a pledge, something given as a guarantee. Even here, we see that God tied borrowing to respect and compassion. The borrower must be responsible, and the lender must be merciful.

Jesus carried this forward when He said in Matthew 5:42, “Give to anyone who asks you, and don’t turn away from someone who wants to borrow from you.” He was not overturning responsibility, but expanding generosity. The Greek word δανείζω (danizō) shows borrowing as a mutual agreement, not a forceful taking. Borrowing always assumes permission, always assumes respect. Stealing is the opposite—it is self-serving, taking without regard for the other person’s choice or needs.

If we step back, the heart of the issue is found in the Eighth Commandment: “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15). The Hebrew verb here is גָּנַב (ganav)—to carry away secretly, to take by stealth. Borrowing without asking fits this word perfectly, because it bypasses permission. Someone might say, “But I intended to return it,” yet in God’s eyes, the act of taking without consent already crossed the line. It is ganav—stealing.

The New Testament continues this theme of living with honesty and integrity. Paul, in Romans 13:8, says, “Owe no one anything, except to love one another.” The Greek opheilō (ὀφείλω) again speaks of duty and obligation. Our only continual debt, Paul says, is love. If love is our guiding principle, then we will never presume to take without asking. We will borrow with respect, return with integrity, and, when possible, give generously rather than take at all.

This principle is echoed in Jesus’ “golden rule” in Luke 6:31: “Do to others what you would want them to do to you.” It is simple but profound. If you would feel wronged by someone taking your things without permission, then you must never do that to another. Borrowing rightly is one way we live out love of neighbor. Stealing—or even borrowing without asking—betrays that love.

What is beautiful is that God does not leave us to struggle with this alone. He gives us both His Spirit and His Word to guide us into integrity. In Ephesians 4:28, Paul says, “Anyone who has been stealing must stop and start working, doing something useful with their hands, so they can have something to share with those in need.” The transformation here is breathtaking. The thief becomes a worker. The taker becomes a giver. The one who once caused loss now becomes a source of blessing. That is the power of the gospel—it changes not only what we do with our hands, but also the motives of our hearts.

So when we borrow, let us remember the prophets’ borrowed axe head and the God who cared enough to make iron float. Let us remember the laws that protected both borrower and lender, weaving fairness and compassion together. Let us remember the words of Jesus and Paul, calling us to honesty, love, and generosity. And let us remember that in God’s kingdom, even the smallest matters of permission and property are not overlooked—they are opportunities to show love, to walk in integrity, and to honor the Lord who gave us all things.

Because at the end of the day, it is not really about the object borrowed. It is about trust, fairness, and love. When we borrow rightly, we reflect the character of our God who gives generously and faithfully. When we steal—or when we borrow without asking—we betray that character. As His children, may we be known as people who honor our word, respect others’ property, and live in such a way that even in the smallest things, Christ shines through us.

When we stop and think about it, borrowing is something nearly everyone has experienced—whether it’s asking a neighbor for a tool, a friend for a book, or even something as small as a cup of sugar. But the way Scripture speaks of borrowing shows us that it’s not a casual act. It’s a sacred act of trust, a transaction of respect, and an opportunity to walk in integrity.

That’s why the young prophet’s cry in 2 Kings 6:5—“Alas, my master! It was borrowed!”—still echoes in our ears. He wasn’t panicked simply because he lost an axe head. He was distressed because he had violated the trust that comes with borrowing. In that moment, his heart knew that the loss wasn’t only material—it was relational. The Hebrew word שָׁאַל (sha’al) reminds us that to borrow is to ask. And when we borrow, we are agreeing to steward someone else’s property as if it were our own.

But what about those moments when we are tempted to just “take it for a bit” without asking? Maybe it’s a pen from a coworker’s desk, or a tool from the garage, or a book from a sibling’s shelf. Our culture might shrug and say, “It’s no big deal.” But God’s Word doesn’t treat it lightly. The Eighth Commandment—“You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15)—covers more than breaking into houses or robbing banks. The Hebrew גָּנַב (ganav) literally means to carry something away secretly. That includes the moments we convince ourselves that “borrowing without asking” is harmless. To the Lord, ganav is ganav—stealing is stealing—whether it’s a field of sheep or a missing pair of scissors.

Jesus’ teaching on stewardship drives this home. In the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30, the master entrusted his servants with different amounts of silver while he went on a journey. Notice the word entrusted. The Greek paradidōmi (παραδίδωμι) means to deliver into someone’s hands with the expectation that it will be handled responsibly. When the master returned, he expected an account. Two servants had invested wisely, but one had buried his talent in the ground. The master called him wicked and lazy—not because he lost the money, but because he failed to honor the trust placed in him.

That parable wasn’t just about money; it was about the heart of stewardship. When we are given something—even on loan—we are accountable to return it in good condition. We cannot shrug it off with excuses, because the trust itself is sacred. That is why Romans 13:7 tells us, “Give everyone what you owe them.” It isn’t about money alone—it’s about debts of respect, honesty, and integrity.

Let’s pause for a moment and think of how this applies in daily life. Maybe your neighbor lent you a tool. Did you clean it before returning it, or did you leave dirt on it? Maybe a friend let you borrow a book. Did you dog-ear the pages and leave it lying around, or did you handle it carefully as though it were your own treasure? Maybe someone lent you their car. Did you refill the gas tank before giving it back? These may sound like small details, but they reveal the heart. When we borrow, we’re saying, “I value you, and I will treat your property with the care I’d want you to show mine.”

This is exactly why Jesus summed up the law with the words of Luke 6:31: “Do to others what you would want them to do to you.” Imagine if we applied that golden rule to every act of borrowing. How different our communities and families would be! No broken tools hidden in garages. No books missing from shelves. No strained friendships over unreturned items. Instead, there would be peace, trust, and mutual respect.

And let’s not forget the lender’s side. Matthew 5:42 calls us to generosity: “Give to anyone who asks you, and don’t turn away from someone who wants to borrow from you.” This doesn’t mean we say yes to everything blindly, but it does mean we cultivate a heart that is ready to help. The Greek δανείζω (danizō) emphasizes lending for the good of the other, not begrudgingly but willingly. The borrower is responsible, yes—but the lender is called to kindness. When both hearts are aligned—responsibility on one side, generosity on the other—the body of Christ becomes a community of trust and love.

We also need to recognize that when borrowing is misused, it can wound deeply. Think of friendships that have soured because someone never returned money. Think of families that stopped speaking because of disputes over possessions. These may seem like “earthly” matters, but in God’s kingdom, they are matters of the heart. That’s why Ephesians 4:28 tells us to stop stealing and instead “do something useful with our hands, so we may have something to share with those in need.” God doesn’t just call us to avoid wrongdoing; He calls us to active generosity. He calls us to become givers instead of takers.

The beauty of the gospel is that it doesn’t only convict us of sin—it gives us the power to change. Maybe you read this and remember times you borrowed without asking, or returned something damaged, or never returned it at all. Maybe you realize you’ve broken trust with someone you love. Take heart—because in Christ, restoration is always possible. Just as the young prophet cried out in distress over the lost axe head, you too can cry out to God. And just as the Lord caused the iron to float, He can cause integrity to rise again in your life. Go back, make it right, return what you took, offer restitution if you must. Not only will you heal the relationship—you will honor the God who loves truth in the inward parts.

In the end, this is about more than borrowed tools and missing books. It’s about being trustworthy children of our Father. It’s about reflecting His character. He has given us everything we have—our breath, our bodies, our talents, even our salvation. We are stewards, not owners. When we borrow rightly, we mirror His faithfulness. When we steal—or take without asking—we betray that reflection.

So the next time you’re tempted to take without asking, stop and remember: it’s not just about the thing. It’s about love. It’s about trust. It’s about the integrity of your witness. And as Paul said in Romans 13:8, there is only one debt we are called to continually carry: the debt of love. If love is what you owe, then respect, honesty, and responsibility will follow naturally.