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10250 North Freeway @ West Road
Houston, Texas 77037
Tel: (281) 447-8484
Nehemiah
Written by Dr. Lester Hutson
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Studies in Nehemiah Lesson 10
MONEY PROBLEMS
Intro.
In the midst of the strain of the hard and glamorless work, attack and
discouragement, money problems developed. Satan is relentless and merciless. Do
not think that because you have troubles more cannot come. Satan's intent is
your utter destruction; not mere victory over you. Money problems must be
considered by leaders. Luke 14:28-30.
Study
notes:
Name a time in your life when you were to the breaking point in problems,
but more came.
I.
MONEY PROBLEMS AND THEIR ROOT.
Neh. 5:1-5.
"Neither is it in our power to redeem
them."
A.
The money problems surfaced with a strike. Neh.
5:1
1. The people had
grievances. There was much negativism.
2. Some Jews were taking
advantage of other Jews. There was friction and tremendous division. "Against
their brethren, the Jews."
3. The result was a work
stoppage. Mat. 12:25-26.
Study notes:
Name reasons why you think good people take advantage of other good people.
B.
Nehemiah listened.
He heard their grievances. He sized up
the situation. Neh. 5:2-4
1. There was a food
shortage, not enough to eat. Neh.
5:2
2.
Spiraling inflation had forced many to mortgage their homes and
farms. Neh. 5:3
3. They were in financial
bondage and its ramifications. Neh.
5:4
Study notes:
Describe the wide impact of a financial crisis in your life.
C.
There were three main reasons why these money problems occurred. Neh.
5:3-5
1. Famine. Neh.
5:3
2. High interest
borrowing. Neh. 5:4
3. Excessive and high
taxation. Neh. 5:4
Study notes:
Are these factors still with us today?
II.
NEHEMIAH'S RESPONSE TO THE MONEY PROBLEM.
Neh. 5:6-9
"I rebuked the nobles and the
rulers."
A.
Righteous anger. "I was very angry." Neh. 5:6
1. Under Moses' Law,
lending money to other Jews for interest was forbidden. Exodus
22:25. Lev. 25:35-40.
2. God wanted Israel to
be a model nation with the testimony of a God who could bless them without
interest among themselves. Deut. 23:19-20.
a.
It was not wrong to lend to a non-Jew for interest.
b.
It was not wrong to lend to a Jew.
c.
It was wrong to lend to a Jew for interest.
d.
It was wrong to enslave a fellow Jew.
3.
Failure in these areas was the root of the money problem.
a.
This sin had produced a famine.
Deut. 28:15-17, 21, 23-24, 38-40.
b.
Nehemiah was angry over what he knew to be blatant sin.
c.
Every man of God should be incensed when God's plan is violated and His
work is in trouble.
Study notes:
Name a condition in America which should cause righteous indignation in
all of God's people.
B.
Self-control. "I consulted
with myself." Neh. 5:7
1. Nehemiah thought before
he spoke or acted.
Study notes:
Discuss how rare this is even among God's people.
2. He gave himself
advice in light of the truth.
Study notes:
How can you be sure that you are on the right track?
3. When men are in
submission to God, His Holy Spirit controls them. Gal.
5:23.
C.
Confrontation of the responsible parties. "I
rebuked the nobles, and the rulers." (5:7)
1. In this case, the
root of the problem resided in the ruling elite.
2. The men with the
money were the culprits. They were the ones charging the extortionate interest
which violated the plan of God and resulted in the oppression of their brethren
and the wrath of God on the land in the form of a famine.
3. Nehemiah didn't
penalize all; just the guilty.
Study notes:
How often have you seen a "shotgun approach" taken toward the
solution of a problem when the solution was specific, not general?
D.
Three accusations and charges against the responsible parties. Neh.
5:7-9
1.
"Ye exact usury, every one of his brother" Neh.
5:7
2.
"Will ye even sell your brethren?" Neh.
5:8
3.
"Ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach
of the heathen our enemies?" Neh.
5:9
a.
Satan and sinners applaud when God's people hurt and mistreat one
another. When we allow internal trouble, we cut out own throats.
b.
Enemies say, They're no different. They're just like us.
Study notes:
Which would you say has done more harm to the cause of Christ, internal
troubles or external opposition?
E.
The answer of the culprits: Silence.
1. No denial.
2. No justification.
3. Admittance of their
guilt and their wrong.
Study notes:
This is a good plan for those who do wrong.
III.
NEHEMIAH'S FOUR STEPS TO CORRECT THE MONEY PROBLEM.
Neh. 5:10-13.
"The people did according to this
promise."
A.
Quit the sin. "I pray you, leave off this usury" Neh.
5:10
1. Meet sin head-on.
Never plan to taper off. Quit immediately. "Go,
and sin no more" John 8:11
2. No longer fuel the
fires of trouble. Stop now. Prov. 26:20.
B.
Make specific plans to correct the situation as quickly as possible. "Restore..."
Neh. 5:11
1. Deal with sin as soon
as you see it in your life.
2. Keep your account
current. 1 John 1:9.
3. Make restitution. 2
Sam. 12:1-6. Prov. 6:31.
Study notes:
Why do you suppose people are so prone to wait to deal with their sins?
C.
Declare your plans for correction in a promise before God. "I...took an oath of them." Neh. 5:12
1. These priests
represented the Jews to God. They were models whose examples influenced and
molded the people. Psalm 76:11.
2. This was a public
matter and public activity and hearing and thus a public oath before God.
Study notes:
Do you think that public sin calls for public repentance?
D.
Realize the serious nature of a vow before God. "I
shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his
labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and
emptied." Neh. 5:13
1. Sin takes a heavy
toll. Nehemiah emphasizes its consequences. Sin ignored ultimately ruins people.
2. A vow or promise is a
serious matter with God. Eccl. 5:3-7.
Study notes:
Can you cite cases of those who repeatedly made statements of repentance
for sins, but who continued in the same old ways? Is not this the policy that
makes many wives distrust husbands, even to the point of divorce?
"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"