Financial bondage is not only for the poor; it can also happen to the rich. In Nehemiah 5:6-8, we read, “And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. Then I consulted with myself and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.”
We have already learned that, in Nehemiah’s time, there was strife involving wages, a shortage of provisions to meet basic human needs, very high costs, mortgaging of personal property and borrowing to pay personal taxes. In addition to all this was the rich squeezing the poor.
It was written in the Law of Moses that no Jew could charge interest to another Jew. He could charge interest to a Gentile, but not to another Jew. However, many people were transgressing that law. They were squeezing the life out of their own people, charging exorbitant interest and putting their brethren under financial pressure and bondage.
When Nehemiah learned of this, he became very angry. He called them together and read to them the Word of God. He said, “Now, you quit this. You are being led by your greed.” Those people who were wealthy and those who were taking financial advantage of the situation were just as much in financial bondage as those people who were poor. Money is a wonderful servant, but it’s a poor master. There are people who have a lot of money who are still in financial bondage. The following four questions will help us to measure ourselves in this context.
1. Do You Have More Faith in Your Money and Your Material Goods Than You Have in God?
Do you have more faith in your money and material goods than you have in your eternal God? If so, my friend, I don’t care how rich you are; you are in financial bondage of the worst kind. If you want to know how rich you really are, add up everything you have that money can’t buy and death can’t take away.
2. Do You Have Ambitions That Do Not Square with the Will of God?
Are there things that you want to do with your money-financial ambitions, financial goals-that are not in the will of God? Then you are in financial bondage.
3. Do You Have a Burning Desire for Money?
Do you have a burning desire for money, or a desire to get rich quick? If you do, you’re in financial bondage.
4. Do You Compromise Your Christian Ethics?
Do you compromise your Christian ethics and fail to honor moral obligations? If you do, you’re in financial bondage. Some people are very poor, and they’re in financial bondage. Some people are very rich, but they’re still in bondage. The devil has them.
I trust and pray you are enjoying this “Hand Me Another Brick” series. Our Lord wants to use his servant leaders to build or rebuild the walls of our respective ministries for Kingdom gain and for His glory!
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