See The Need of Others First

When Life Comes Down On You Hard

You feel like you are not making any progress

You are doing the work the right way but have nothing to show for it.

When the Rich get richer and the poor get poorer is a sign of a broken community.

Nehemiah 5:1–5 NLT

About this time some of the men and their wives raised a cry of protest against their fellow Jews. They were saying, “We have such large families. We need more food to survive.” Others said, “We have mortgaged our fields, vineyards, and homes to get food during the famine.” And others said, “We have had to borrow money on our fields and vineyards to pay our taxes. We belong to the same family as those who are wealthy, and our children are just like theirs. Yet we must sell our children into slavery just to get enough money to live. We have already sold some of our daughters, and we are helpless to do anything about it, for our fields and vineyards are already mortgaged to others.”

See the need of Others First

See the ills of society and see how you can help.

Are you part of the problem or solution?

How can you stop being part of the problem?

Do not correct others if you will not correct yourself.

Nehemiah 5:10 NLT

I myself, as well as my brothers and my workers, have been lending the people money and grain, but now let us stop this business of charging interest.

Restore our brothers

Nehemiah 5:11–12 NLT

You must restore their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and homes to them this very day. And repay the interest you charged when you lent them money, grain, new wine, and olive oil.” They replied, “We will give back everything and demand nothing more from the people. We will do as you say.” Then I called the priests and made the nobles and officials swear to do what they had promised.

Why should we give back and expect nothing in return?

There is healing in the community when you look to give to the needy.

Serving God’s people will lead you praise God.

Nehemiah 5:13 NLT

I shook out the folds of my robe and said, “If you fail to keep your promise, may God shake you like this from your homes and from your property!” The whole assembly responded, “Amen,” and they praised the Lord. And the people did as they had promised.

God Remembers

What does it mean to ask God to remember you?

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Psalm 25:7 NLT

Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.

Asking God to remember you is to seek God’s mercy and grace.

Jesus remembers us and therefore saves us Luke 23:43.

For aHis anger is but for a moment,

Psalm 30:5 NLT

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

His bfavor is for a lifetime;

Weeping may clast for the night,

But a shout of joy comes in the morning.