Usury

From the perspective of modern Christianity, you were not to loan at interest to someone who has less than you. You were not to charge usury of a fellow Israelite, especially the poor or anyone poorer than you, found in Exodus 22:25, Leviticus 25:35-37, and Deuteronomy 23:19-20, emphasizing supporting community members in need rather than exploiting their poverty.

However, when one has a better understanding of economics and the financial system, this view seems like an oversimplification that falls outside the bounds of logos (right reason).

Under a gold standard, perhaps the simplistic view of usury (stated above) would work. Loan someone a gold coin and, 5 years later, get a gold coin back.

But in a fiat-based world, assuming 10% inflation rate, the debtor who borrows $5000 and pays it back in 5 years has gained roughly $1000 benefit while the saver has suffered a $1000 loss of purchase value.

The same process takes place when fiat savings are placed in a bank account with no interest. That savings is loosing 10% of value every year.

If we assume the writers of the usury verses in the Old Testament had more wisdom than the barbarians that modern Christians make them out to be, what might have been the deeper meaning of the term "usury"?

We've already mentioned the problem with inflation in a fiat-based system. Those closest to the money printer automatically rob the rest of society at the rate the money is being debased (the Cantillon Effect). That would be the most obvious form of usury.

Another was mentioned by Brother Gregory in the May 16, 2026 podcast where, at 1:20:20, he explains that various taxes, licenses, and permits are Use Taxes, i.e., usury. This is obviously something that exists in the Bondage of Egypt, which we were instructed to never return.