Good morning, as summer approaches families turn their attention toward vacations. During prosperous times that may involve travel. These days have not been prosperous for everyone.
One way to avoid being controlled by the economy is to distance yourself from debt.

Today, as we read Nehemiah 5-8, we will be looking at three related topics: being a slave to debt, charging interest, trying to earn salvation through works.
Avoid Slavery
The remnant of Israel that came back to Jerusalem was working on the wall, while being threatened by the Samaritans. With God’s support, they will complete the repairs in only fifty-two days (v6:15).

Their needs went unmet while they were working. To keep going, they were borrowing from the wealthier people, including mortgaging their fields and homes (v5:3).

Moses had commanded them not to charge interest to a fellow Jew (Deut 23:19).

They were not following the commands.

Debt, like sin, is an escalating situation. They borrowed money to pay the taxes to the king on their fields (v5:4). The further they got in, the more they needed to borrow.

In modern day America, you need good credit. To develop good credit, borrow money, and prove you can repay it.

Like most people I know, I overextended myself when I was younger. This allowed me to have nicer things than I could afford, including a brand new 1986 GMC Mini-Jimmy. When it rolled and injured my spine, I defaulted on those loans. The loans ruined my credit.

This would affect our ability to buy a home later.

We paid cash for years and re-established our credit.

There is a fine line which people must walk. Have and use credit, but exercise caution. When you are paying interest, you have fewer resources available.

It is tempting to think you have room on a credit card. I encourage you to pray about this. Debt can make you its slave.
God Provides
Deuteronomy 28:12 states, The Lord will open to you his good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands. And you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. (NIV).

God’s timing should guide you when you trust Him for provision.

Taking on debt to avoid waiting makes money our master, and we become its servants.

Look at how much interest most American’s pay on their mortgages, and how little comes off the principle. This is the problem.

This was happening to the Israelites. They returned to Jerusalem, but they found their homes ruined and their fields devastated.

Instead of waiting for God to provide, they mortgaged themselves and were having trouble feeding their families (v5:1).
The Problem with Interest
This would not have been happening if the rich people were not violating the Law of Moses and charging interest.

The sin of borrowing instead of waiting on God was being compounded by the sin of greed.

Nehemiah steps in and gets the people to discontinue this sin and their circumstances improve.

He pushes back on the governors to remove the tax burdens as well. This is commendable.

The people return to offering sacrifices to the Lord. This tells me, even while suffering, they prioritized following God’s commands.
Not our works
For his hand in these this turnaround, Nehemiah states, “Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people.” (V5:19, NIV).

People like to think that God will bless us for doing good to others.

If we are walking with God will want to help our brothers. When we do, He may bless us. Not for helping our brothers, but for seeking His will.

God will judge us all one day.

God will judge the actions of those who trusted in Jesus as their savior. He will reward how we use our salvation to glorify God.

But it won’t get us into heaven.

That is a different judgement.

God will judge those whose names are not in the book of life because of their sins. We all have thousands, even millions, of sins on our ledger.

It is not a balance sheet.

God will look at a sin we committed. Let’s say we lusted after a person we see walking down the street, or coveted our neighbors’ shiny sports car.

God will not be looking in the credit column to see what will balance this. He will simple determine, did you commit this sin?

Sin cannot be in heaven, so if you are holding onto sin, you won’t be.

The only way to remove that sin is now, in this life, confess your sins, repent, and ask Jesus to save you.

I urge you all to make sure you will be in the right line. But understand that if God saves you, he will judge how you used that salvation.
Tomorrow we will read Nehemiah 8-10