Payment to a worker — no money for ShabbatPayment to a worker — no money for Shabbat

Dear Rabbi! Today is Friday, and a worker who previously did some work for me came now to demand payment for his services. The problem is that I only have 200 ₪, and I don't have the option to borrow money. I need the entire amount for basic Shabbat provisions, and a significant sum will be deposited into my account next week. Am I obligated to pay the worker and be left with nothing for Shabbat, or can I postpone the payment to the worker?

Dear …! If the worker demands the money, it is obligatory to pay immediately, and this obligation takes precedence over purchasing provisions for Shabbat. However, if you can appease the worker to forgive and wait until after Shabbat when you have the money, it is appropriate to do so. If the work was ordered for the repair of an item, and the item is in the craftsman's possession, you may tell the craftsman that you are not yet taking the item, and then you can delay the payment. This applies only if the worker is demanding payment for the first time. However, if the worker has already demanded the debt previously and it was not paid for any reason, it is considered a debt, and you may purchase minimal Shabbat provisions before paying the debt. However, if it concerns a Talmid Chacham, it would be a desecration of Hashem's name, and it is preferable to pay the debt even if it leaves you without money for minimal Shabbat purchases.

Biur Halacha (Orach Chaim 242:1).