SERVE, MODEL, LIVE GODLY

My heart goes out to people in Oklahoma, devastated by tornados.  What must they think when threats of storms come again to them?  And one of the worst things I heard was, when people like you and me, want to help, there are false groups that are taking money from people, and not really helping with the money—they are using it as a time to fill their pockets instead.  Terrible! 

Another thing that troubles me greatly is when storms and disasters come, and then looters go into people’s homes to steal whatever they can steal.  People in our world are just heartless at times—sin—taking advantage of people and of terrible situations of life. 

Nehemiah 5:1-13 

That is what was happening here in Nehemiah 5.  People who had were taking advantage of those who did not have.  People moving back into Jerusalem needed food and basic necessities—and others—other Jews—were supplying them for the poor—but then charging exorbitant interest—and it was causing some families to let their children become slaves of the “haves” to repay the debt.  This was something that Jews were told back in Leviticus NOT to do—take advantage of their countrymen—fellow Jews. 

But that was happening now.  So some were complaining to Nehemiah about the situation.  And when you need everyone involved in a task—like rebuilding a wall—you need unity, not internal dissension. 

Disaster like what had happened to Jerusalem, is a time to support one another—not a time to take advantage of one another—and of all people—these were God’s chosen people—people chosen to live like God and to reflect what He is like to others around them and to one another as well. 

When Nehemiah hears of the problem—he confronts those sinning against others—and they turn from their sin and restore what they have taken and quit extorting from other fellow Jews. 

We also see here how Nehemiah himself had been a model of how to live for God in these circumstances.  As governor, he could have received tax money to feed his family and those attending him—but he did not do that—he did not require it.  What did he do instead? 

·         He paid his own way—he supplied what his family needed

·         He involved those serving him in also working on the wall—seems even that He himself helped

·         He did not use this political position for his own advantage—though others had done so before

·         He even invited others in to eat with his household—outsiders that would not normally be there for meals

·         So instead of being a drain on people—he actually helped others and was a public servant

·         And in this process, He was a model of what a follower of God should be

o   He loved God and sought to live for God

o   He loved his own people and tried to lighten their burden and do what was right

o   He tried to get people to treat one another fairly—with respect—and in a godly way.

When disasters come, it’s easier to respect people that come to help and give—rather than people who come to just take advantage of the situation for their own wealth. 

Nehemiah was not only helping God’s people to rebuild a wall.  He was also providing a godly example for them—and challenging them to live for God even in tough circumstances—and even when some HAD more than others had. 

He was a genuine godly leader. 

So often when churches are building a building, godly people act ungodly.  They bite one another—and turn away from one another—and live more like the world than they do living like God. 

When you do something with God, like they did in rebuilding this wall, you have to do it God’s way—and you have to do it serving one another.  That causes unity not division.  And unity is God’s way—not division. 

But so often when God is at work—Satan is also at work—and Satan even uses God’s people at times, to stop the work.  That is what we saw here in Nehemiah. 

And whenever God’s people work for their own advantage, rather than the good of others—they are not on God’s plan.  And unity is killed. 

·         Godly people must live in godly ways.

·         God’s people are to serve others—not act as masters over others

·         God’s people must live as models for others—those within the body of Christ—and the world outside as well. 

Are you a model for others of a godly life? 

·         Would you say that?

·         Would others say that? 

Are you a servant or a master?

·         What would others say about you—is it all about you or about the good of others? 

Do you live your life with godly values—godly ways—godly purposes? 

Rebuilding will occur when we do this type of living with others and for others.  Be a model—be a servant—be a real Christian.