Nehemiah 5:1-13 Beware of internal struggle in the use of finances, God's fame is at stake
There are three groups mentioned:
The first group (1) were families who owned no land, and so were first to feel the effects of a lack of income from laboring while engaged on the wall-building.
The second group (2) were already mortgaging their land and would lose their security altogether if they could not repay their debts from the annual harvest.
The third group (3) were apparently having to borrow in order to pay their taxes.
For all of them, the sense of social injustice was aggravated by the facts that their creditors were fellow-Jews (1, 5) and that they were reaching the point of having to sell themselves into debt-slavery.2
Regarding how the people were to treat each other when borrowing and lending and in need, the Scriptures are clear on this point.
Leviticus 25:35-43; Exodus 22:25-27; Deuteronomy 15:7-11
Observations
1. Nehemiah was himself guilty v. 6, 10
2. There was an effort to buy back their brothers who had sold themselves into debt-slavery so that they could be free, and then have committed the same evil that they had taken effort to rescue their brothers from. v. 8
3. There was a public call for repentance v. 8-12
- Fear God
- Be aware of God's reputation among the nations
- Abandon the practice immediately
- Return what has been taken in interest or pledge
- Require nothing in return for assistance granted
- Made a public oath to comply with the Scriptures
- Request that God bring retribution on the person who does not comply
- Public worship and action on the issues at hand
The main point of emphasis is verse 9b “Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?”
In other words, their behavior internally directly affected their worship and their mission.
How must we, in light of this text, groom our internal behavior so that our worship is right and our mission goes forward?
1. Fear God in our financial dealings with each other, particularly with those in need
A. Default to Scripture not cultural norms (if I have it, spend it on me and my wants)
1. Make room to help those in need in our church
a. For those who need a job, give them one Leviticus 19:9, 10
2. Help the one working hard (church and professional life) and life circumstances slam them
3. Obey the Holy Spirit inclination of your new heart regarding profit
a. Honest business for profit is good with legitimate patrons
b. Intentionally trying to get all one can from a patron in greed is wrong
4. Do not get at the expense of others in greed, this make's resources one's idol
2. Fear God in our financial dealings with those outside the church
A. Conduct business with Integrity outside of the church7
Matthew 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
1. Don't be “that guy”
a. The dirty business owner that has the fish on his advertisements
b. The loud, rude and cheap patron
2. The reputation of Jesus Christ is at stake!!!
a. Approach every interaction as if you are going to preach the Gospel
3. Fear God by being a faithful financial manager of God's resources
A. The people in Nehemiah were gaining/using funds as if the funds actually belonged to them 1. They should have been giving rather than hoarding
B. 10 % of the membership of TRCC contributes to the mission financially
1. Repent of the view that your time and money are yours
2. Repent of the view that you deserve to have more
3. Repent of “gleaning” up to the edge of the field (don't max out usage of
God's resources)
4. Begin worshiping with you finances, they are God's anyway
5. Give liberally with a cheerful heart
1 Carson, D. A. (1994). New Bible commentary : 21st century edition (4th ed.) (Ne 5:1–13). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill., USA: Inter-Varsity Press.
2 Carson, D. A. (1994). New Bible commentary : 21st century edition (4th ed.) (Ne 5:1–13). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill., USA: Inter-Varsity Press.
4 Freeman, J. M., & Chadwick, H. J. (1998). Manners & customs of the Bible (Rev. ed.].) (288–289). North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos Publishers.
6 Rooker, M. F. (2001). Vol. 3A: Leviticus (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (311). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
7Emmett Long in conversation regarding how Chick-fil-A conducts business and still makes a profit in light of similar restaurant chains losing money in the current economic climate.
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