Redlining is the practice of declining mortgages and loans to certain groups of people, most notably from African Americans. The practice was widespread before 1968. Many experts say the system back then explains why many poor neighborhoods exist today. Since 1968 the Fair Housing Act outlaws redlining, even though many say it still exists. It should go without saying that God detests injustice in buying and selling real estate. He expressed His attitude long ago in the instructions He gave Moses about dealing with property, found in Leviticus 25. God said through Moses, “When you make an agreement with your neighbor to buy or sell property, you must not take advantage of each other.’God told these ancient people that the price of property should be based upon the number of years remaining before Jubilee when all properties must be returned to the original owner. That policy was designed to maintain fairness and God said the practice should be strictly followed. Of course, today we live under the new covenant. Under it God still expects us to treat everybody with justice. Followers of Christ must model fairness in every area of society, including our financial transactions.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
