Nehemiah 5:15 – The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God.
The crisis in Nehemiah 5 is internal and financial. God’s people were starving, selling their children into slavery during a massive economic crisis caused by a famine, high taxation from the godless government, combined with extortion and fellow “believers” taking advantage of impoverished people by robbing them of their land and possessions with the heart of Judas.
Since we either worship our wealth as our God, or worship God with our wealth, the Bible has a lot to say about finances and stewardship in over 800 Scriptures. Roughly 25% of Jesus’ teaching was regarding money, including that money is a revelation of our heart’s priorities, and that someone cannot worship both God and money (Matthew 6:19-24).
Greed is not only a grievous sin against God, but also a painful sin against Christian unity and love. God’s people do not just have spiritually connected lives but also financially connected lives as they transact business and exchange goods and services. Those with wealth and power must be careful to not take advantage of fellow believers because it hurts God’s people and is a terrible witness to unbelievers. Christians are to use money to love people, rather than loving money and using people.
Look up the following Scriptures about our eternal rewards for good stewardship in this life: Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 19:17-19; Romans 2:6-11, 8:1, 12:13, 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10; Colossians 3:25; Revelation 11:18.