Eradicating Selfish Ambition (Neh 5)

Eradicating Selfish Ambition: Nehemiah 5 (Lesson 6) I. Contention within the camp erodes the work. We must eradicate selfishness promptly to restore unity and continue God’s work. A. Neh. sympathetically heard the outcry (from those oppressed) B. He gathered the offenders and set them straight C. And he provided the example for all to follow. II. Our church family is in an adjustment phase, somewhat of a rebuilding phase, a time with some growing pains (BTW, “It is important to note that the building of the wall did not create these problems; it revealed them” – Weirsbe). We really need to take special care to be concerned for one another more than for ourselves. (Two statements of fact and one imperative to apply Nehemiah’s situation to our own lives...) A. Worldly methods have no place among God’s people. B. To eradicate selfish ambition we must walk in the fear of God. C. [By contrast] Model generosity for one another. III. Neh listened and considered not what was most expedient, but what was right. (vv.1-5) In moral leadership the path of least resistance is almost invariable the wrong one. [climbing Everest is different] A. Here’s what was going on: (why there was clamor against their own people, v.1) 1. There were people who weren’t land-owners but needed food for big families. (v.2) 2. There were those with property who had to leverage it to feed themselves in this time of famine. (v.3) 3. A third group (vv.4-5) was hurting bc of high taxes due to the emperor, and they even had to subject their children to servitude (to their own rich countrymen) [for money to pay taxes].  The dire financial situation would have made it unreasonably difficult to redeem (buy back) any from slavery bc they couldn’t afford it. Nor apparently was there hope in everything being returned in the 50th year of Jubilee (Lev. 25). – To make matters worse, God had instructed them not to exploit their brothers by lending with interest. It wasn’t lending to help out that was the problem, it was the interest to gain more in return for themselves that God didn’t want them to do with each other. B. The rich get richer and poor get poorer is a serious problem… because any given society ultimately depends heavily on their support base. So when there’s no way for the down and out to pick themselves up and get back in the game, the game ends.  For me this isn’t political. It’s practical, and it’s spiritual. (the church) 1. (I’m no economist, but I sincerely believe that) Capitalism functions well b/c of selfish ambition. And it works. People working hard to look out for their own interests has the general effect of creating competition and encouraging hard work to lift the economy as a whole. But if there are no safeguards for the constant and severe exploitation of the little guy, capitalism is self-defeating. The reason I’m talking about this is to use something your very familiar with to illustrate for you a clear contrast with God’s desire for the church. 2. The church doesn’t (or shouldn’t) run on capitalism. We’re not out to be the best and brightest, or the most important and most popular. The church has a different engine. That engine is self-sacrificial servanthood, also known as agape love. The fuel for that selfless engine is the gospel of Jesus… and his continued grace at work in us and through us. And the church has a different end in mind – to reach those who are lost and hurting with the invitation of Christ to belong to Him. (And those people don’t know who they are!... until God reveals it to them.) 3. See, the Bible fiercely tramples selfish ambition underfoot, driving it deep into the mud. – Of course, besides Php. 2:3-4 [display], the metaphor of the church being like a body gives us a picture of how we can honor one another above ourselves. 1 Cor. 12:21ff C. Hopefully now I’ve clarified the point that Neh’s response to the oppressed people’s outcry was completely justified b/c Worldly methods have no place among God’s people. IV. The next step in Nehemiah’s process was to gather the offenders and set them straight. (vv. 6-13) – Neh. apparently had not been made aware of this oppression of the poor until now (he had only been there a short while and was preoccupied with the building of the wall). But when he heard, he took measures to put an end to it. A. Besides being righteously angry (v.6) at this offense to God’s law and blatant harm to one another amongst God’s people (he should be mad), he took time to cool off and think (v.7a – getting control of his feelings and thoughts in order to give constructive leadership). He then followed the proper biblical method for dealing with an offense, bringing the charges directly to the offending parties… with accountability (in the hearing of a great assembly). 1. He not only explained to them the wrongfulness of what they were doing (to their own “brothers,” he says four times), but he told them how to right the wrong. (v.10b-11 abandon this exacting of interest, and give it back) 2. Thankfully, they responded by listening to him. B. But the heart of what Nehemiah says to them, the bulls-eye if you will, is found in v. 9. “Ought you not to walk in the fear of God?” Have you forgotten to whom you belong? Have you so quickly forgotten what he has done for you? Aren’t you trampling his commandments, and thereby trampling his authority and his character? 1. Nehemiah cuts straight to the heart about our sin. – To eradicate selfish ambition we must walk in the fear of God. Prov. 3:7 – Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 2. Nothing washes the nonsense of our sinful nature out of us like being overwhelmed by the glory of God’s perfect nature. – When patience is my problem, God’s forbearance is the answer. When lust is my problem, admiration for God’s purity can change that. (Recognition of what he made me for can set that straight.) When self-centeredness is my problem, God at the center… and the supremacy of Christ… squelches that lie. When greed is gaining ground, an appetite for God is the only solution. 3. Like dearly loved children, we must fear God’s disapproval and greatly desire close fellowship with him through our submissive obedience. C. And while they responded appropriately, Nehemiah held them accountable to their claims. – He made them swear to it (v.12), and gave a sharp warning (with a side of zesty imagery) if they didn’t follow through (v. 13). It serves as a healthy reminder too that God ultimately judges those who thump their nose at Him.  We need accountability. That’s also the beauty of relationships among Christ’s disciples. (that’s the importance of local churches, teams of disciples working together to multiply and mature disciples of Christ) We challenge and encourage one another in comfort & strength, but also in accountability and growth. – & Getting back on track from selfishness should make us collectively say “amen” and praise the Lord together. V. Finally this morning, we should aim to Model generosity for one another. – Nehemiah provided the example for them to follow of treating one another not only fairly but generously. (v14-19) A. Neh governed in Judah 12 years, and during that time he did not take the allowance of governor from the Persian emperor b/c it came at the cost of heavy taxation of his people. (in sharp contrast to the governors before him) – Why? v.15 bc of the fear of God! B. He goes on to explain how many people he cared for at his own expense, even while working on the wall (possibly savings from working for the Persian king as cupbearer, which had given him substantial wealth). – He did it “b/c the service was too heavy on this people.” Neh was putting their welfare before his own. That’s generosity rightly motivated. C. Speaking of motivation, what do we make of Neh’s final prayer (v. 19, the first of four such prayers)? – Don’t let the wording confuse you. His prayer shows that he did this not to please men but to please God. I believe it indicates worship and humility. We want God to be honored in our service. D. Like Nehemiah, we ought to model generosity for each other. 1. It’s really quite remarkable that with all the Bible has to say about the proper use of money, that so many believers choose to ignore it and do what they want with money. – a. The Bible calls us to be good managers of our money (Jesus’ parable of a dishonest steward in Luke 16 – How can you be entrusted with true riches if you are unfaithful in secular wealth? “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much,” v.10), b. to give generously to brothers in need and to the Lord’s work (Prov. 19:17 & 21:13; 2 Cor. 9:6-7), c. and especially to never let it rule us (in that same context of Luke 16, in v. 13 Jesus says, “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”) – Money is a means not a master. God is our master, and by his grace in us we must master our money so that it will be a tool for His glory, a cog in the wheel of multiplying and maturing disciples. 2. It’s important to note too that generosity takes more forms than just monetary assistance. – You can give of your time and talent as much as your treasure. a. Think of the orphaned or inner city kids who need tutoring after school. There are endless ways that you can offer volunteer service to your Christian brothers as well as in your community. – You can offer rides, watch kids, mow lawns, write notes, make a meal, and on and on. I pray that your creativity in this area exceeds my own! b. You can give relational support to family, friends, and neighbors. Sometimes you can give generously by simply being present to quietly listen or even be silent comfort for one who is hurting. All of this is Christian generosity. c. A small bottom line in your bank account doesn’t keep you from being generous, monetarily or otherwise. Generosity is a matter of the heart – of looking out for others at high cost to yourself. In the end you are motivated to be generous to others for the glory of God, knowing how generous God is with you. d. Consider the generosity of our triune God in Christ’s coming. Php. 2:5-11 Come to the Lord’s Table today remembering God’s generosity toward you. More application: In what areas of life are people usually blind to a pull toward worldly methods, blind to their own selfish ambition? Is there a part of your life where God needs to help you eradicate or place a careful watch to guard against this? Talk about fearing God. Does the idea of his displeasure bother you, cause you emotional pain? Do you desire to make him proud of you? (And how can we do that without relying on our own works and strength?) Think of times that others have been generous with you. Try to come up with examples other than money. Where would you go in scripture to remember how generous God has been with you? Share it with others.