Nehemiah 5: "God's Formula for Financial Freedom"

Joe Vivian

God's Formula for Financial Freedom • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago • Presented 5 years ago

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God’s Formula for Financial Freedom

Date Preached: October 15, 1978

Time: 1100

Main Scripture Text:

“Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.”

Outline

Introduction

I. The Problems of Financial Bondage

A. Strife and Divisions

B. Shortage of Humans Needs

C. People Mortgaged Their Property

D. Deep Debt

E. Financial Bondage Test

F. The Poor and the Rich Can Be in Financial Bondage

1. Do You Have More Faith in Your Money and in Your Material Goods Than You Have in God?

2. Do You Have Ambitions That Are Not Square with the Will of God?

3. Do You Have a Burning Desire for Money?

4. Do You Compromise Your Christian Ethic?

II. The Principles of Financial Freedom

A. The Principle of Priority

B. The Principle of Industry

C. The Principle of Integrity

D. The Principle of Generosity

1. God Knows What the Need Is

2. God Knows How Much He Wants to Make Available Through Me

3. God is Pleased to Let Me Know What He Wants Me to Give

4. God Will Enable Me to Be Sufficient to Do Anything He Leads Me to Do

5. God’s Resources Are Not Limited

6. Spiritual Giving Requires the Presence and the Power of God

E. The Principle of Dependability

Conclusion

Introduction

Take our Bibles and turn to Nehemiah chapter 5.

Nehemiah is the story of “Let us arise and build,” and I would say that the theme of Nehemiah is found in Nehemiah chapter 2 and verse 20: “Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build.” ()

But every time God’s people say, “Let us arise and build,” the devil’s crowd says, “Let us arise and blast.”

And when God’s people have a mind to work, the devil’s crowd has a mind to wreck.

And the devil inspired certain philosophies and problems to keep Nehemiah, the leader and the man of God, from leading his people—at least, tried to keep them from building the walls.

And you remember some of the things that we’ve already talked about.

First of all, the first thing that the devil tried was ridicule; he tried to laugh them out of the work for God. That didn’t work.

Then he tried discouragement; he tried to discourage them. And that didn’t work.

Then he tried to scare them; he tried to threaten them.

And that didn’t work.

And now he is trying division—just simply to divide the people.

Right in the middle of the program, in the middle of the building program, there came a division. And guess what it was over. It was over money matters.

Look here in the first five verses, if you will.

Nehemiah 5:1 CSB

1 There was a widespread outcry from the people and their wives against their Jewish countrymen.

Now I’ve said before, “The devil had rather start a family/relationship squabble any day —just to get God’s people divided.”

This is , verse 1: “And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.” Now I’ve said before, “The devil had rather start a church fuss any day than to sell a barrel of whiskey—just to get God’s people divided.” And here’s what happened. Here was a division of the people and of their wives against their brethren, the Jews: “For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live. Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.” That is, there was a famine in the land. Inflation was running away and material goods were hard to get. “There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute,”—that is, taxes are mighty high—“and that upon our lands and vineyards. Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.” ()

And here’s what happened. Here was a division of the people and of their wives against their brethren, the Jews:

Nehemiah 5:2–3 CSB

2 Some were saying, “We, our sons, and our daughters are numerous. Let us get grain so that we can eat and live.” 3 Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, vineyards, and homes to get grain during the famine.”

Neh 5:

There was a famine in the land. Inflation was running away and material goods were hard to get.

Nehemiah 5:4–5 CSB

4 Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. 5 We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”

There was a famine in the land. Inflation was running away and material goods were hard to get. “There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute,”—that is, taxes are mighty high—“and that upon our lands and vineyards. Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.” ()

I want to share today on “God’s Formula for Financial Freedom.”

I want to speak today on “God’s Formula for Financial Freedom.” Someone said, “The most sensitive nerve in the human body is the one that runs from the heart to the pocketbook.” And that may be true. I know that when we talk about finances, people listen, and they listen very carefully. And well we might.

Someone said, “The most sensitive nerve in the human body is the one that runs from the heart to the pocketbook.” And that may be true. I know that when we talk about finances, people listen, and they listen very carefully. And they also become super sensitive on the subject.

They will allow “feelings” to drive the discussion instead of Truth.

So because of that, I believe there’s a message for us in the fifth chapter of the book of

As I have shared, I believe that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and I believe that all of it is profitable. ()

2 Timothy 3:16 CSB

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,

But in order for it to profit us today, we must ask those three questions. Do you remember them?

Question number one: What did it mean then?

Question number two: What does it mean now?

Question number three: What does it mean to me personally?

And both Kerry and I believe in the fifth chapter of Nehemiah we’re going to see at least two things: number one, the problems of financial bondage; number two, the principles of financial freedom.

I. The Problems of Financial Bondage

Now you talk about financial bondage—I want you to see the financial bondage these people were under in Nehemiah’s time. Some people say, “The Bible is out of date.” What we just read - reads like The Wall Street Journal. I mean, it reads like the headlines of today’s newspaper.

A. Strife and Divisions

I want you to look at verse 3—there were “strife, and divisions.” Just like we read in .

1 Corinthians 3:3 CSB

3 because you are still worldly. For since there is envy and strife among you, are you not worldly and behaving like mere humans?

Now of course, we living in Albuquerque, NM, wouldn’t know anything about that, would we?

All right, number one: There were strife and divisions. And it was over money; it was over finances; it was over wages.

B. Shortage of Humans Needs

Number two: There was a shortage of human needs and very high prices. And you see that in verse 2 when he talks about how difficult it was even to get the wheat and the corn that they needed to eat.

Nehemiah 5:2 CSB

2 Some were saying, “We, our sons, and our daughters are numerous. Let us get grain so that we can eat and live.”

C. People Mortgaged Their Property

Number three: It was a time when people had mortgaged their property to the hilt. Look in verse 3:

Nehemiah 5:3 CSB

3 Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, vineyards, and homes to get grain during the famine.”

And why have they done that? In order to buy food.

“Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses.” () And why have they done that? In order to buy food. Now, folks, you talk about a depression—you’re talking about financial bondage when you start mortgaging your house in order to feed your family. That’s what they had done.

You talk about a depression—you’re talking about financial bondage when you start mortgaging your house in order to feed your family. That’s what they had done.

D. Deep Debt

And then, go on. Not only that, but they were in deep debt. Look in verse 4:

Nehemiah 5:4 CSB

4 Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.

They had gone to the finance company to borrow money to pay their taxes. My goodness: borrowed money to pay taxes! You see, high taxes are not something new; there have been high taxes around for a long time.

“There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute.” () They had gone to the finance company to borrow money to pay their taxes. My goodness: borrowed money to pay taxes! You see, high taxes are not something new; there have been high taxes around for a long time.

I kind of feel in sympathy with the tourist who said, he wanted to visit Washington, because he wanted to be near his money.

Well, high taxes. And then, deep debt. We’ve borrowed money.

You know, deep debt is a terrible thing—to be under the bondage of deep debt—and there are so many people who are under the financial bondage of debt. It’s because they’re just spending so much and they can’t keep up.

Theirs was a perfect marriage,

but for one personal flaw:

One was quick on the deposit,

but the other was faster on the draw.

—AUTHOR UNKNOWN

And that’s what happens so often when we get into financial debt.

All of this resulted in bondage—verse 5, look at it—financial bondage, in verse 5.

Nehemiah 5:5 CSB

5 We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”

Well, let me say, folks, that financial bondage is not God’s plan for His people. In the margin, by Nehemiah chapter 5, I want you to write Deuteronomy chapter 28, verses 1 through 14. I want you to read that when you get home. And you’re going to find out that God doesn’t want you to be the borrower; God wants you to be the lender. You’re going to find out that God doesn’t want you to be the tail; God wants you to be the head. God wants to bless His people above all the nations of the world, and God wants to give His people financial freedom. But so many people don’t have financial freedom; they are in financial bondage.

God wants to bless His people above all the nations of the world, and God wants to give His people financial freedom. But so many people don’t have financial freedom; they are in financial bondage.

E. Financial Bondage Test

And I believe that it is the devil’s plan to keep God’s people in financial bondage when they don’t understand certain spiritual principles. And we’re going to talk about the spiritual principles of financial freedom next Sunday.

The devil wants to keep you in bondage, and the devil doesn’t care what kind of bondage you’re in, as long as you’re in bondage. The Lord Jesus said, “I have come that you might be free”: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” ()

Let me give you ten marks of financial bondage. Let’s just take a test and find out whether or not you’re in financial bondage. Listen to them.

I also want to share, before I begin, Kerry and I relate directly to some of these. We are not in the clear either. That’s why I struggled to prepare this lesson.

Number one: When you charge daily expenditures because of the lack of funds—now I’m not talking about buying your gas on a credit card—but when you have to charge it because you don’t have enough money for your daily expenditures, you’re in financial bondage.

Number two: When you put off paying a bill until next month, you’re in financial bondage. When there’s too much month at the end of the money, you are in financial bondage.

Number three: when you borrow to pay fixed expenses such as taxes, and insurance, house payments.

Number four: when you become unaware of how much you owe.

Number five: when you have creditors calling on you and writing you about past due bills.

Number six: when you take from your savings account to pay current bills.

Number seven: when you make new loans to pay off your old ones; you take all your little loans and consolidate them into one great big backbreaking loan.

Number eight: when you and your spouse argue over finances. You know, “Till debt do us part.”

Number nine: when you begin to entertain the idea about being dishonest or unscrupulous about some financial dealing.

Number ten: When you find it difficult to return God’s tithe to God’s house on God’s day, you, my friend, are in financial bondage. And God doesn’t want His people to be in this kind of a place.

Now Kerry and I are not saying that a person who is doing these things is wrong with God. Don’t misunderstand us. Oh, no, not at all!

There are a lot of people who love the Lord, who are caught in this kind of a trap; but the devil would love to keep all of us in financial bondage, even though we love the Lord. And these people in Nehemiah’s time were under financial bondage; and because of it, they got so frustrated that they turned on one another.

F. The Poor and the Rich Can Be in Financial Bondage

But let me tell you something else.

Not only people struggling to make an income can be in financial bondage; rich people can be in financial bondage too.

You continue to read here in this fifth chapter of Nehemiah and look in verse 6—you’ll find out it wasn’t these poor people that upset Nehemiah; it was some of the rich ones. Look here in Nehemiah chapter 5, verse 6, and Nehemiah says,

Nehemiah 5:6–8 CSB

6 I became extremely angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints. 7 After seriously considering the matter, I accused the nobles and officials, saying to them, “Each of you is charging his countrymen interest.” So I called a large assembly against them 8 and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish countrymen who were sold to foreigners, but now you sell your own countrymen, and we have to buy them back.” They remained silent and could not say a word.

Nehemiah 5:

I laughed at how he ‘consulted’ with himself—that’s a pretty good committee: three, with two absent!

You see, it was written in the Law of Moses that no Jew could charge interest to another Jew. Now he could to a Gentile, but he couldn’t to another Jew.

That was the law of the Jews. But these people had transgressed that law. And they were taking the people and they were squeezing the life out of them, charging exorbitant interest, putting them under financial pressure and bondage.

And I’m telling you, it just made old Nehemiah angry. He got hacked off at them. He called them together. He read to them the Word of God. He said, “Now, you quit this. It’s caused by your greed.”

Now, let me tell you something, folks. Those people who were wealthy and those people who were taking advantage of that situation were just as much in financial bondage as those people that were poor.

Money is a wonderful servant, but it’s a poor master.

And some people who have a lot of money are still in bondage.

You want me to give you some little questions to find out whether or not you are in financial bondage as a wealthy person or as a person who’s kind of well off? Let me ask these questions.

1. Do You Have More Faith in Your Money and in Your Material Goods Than You Have in God?

Do you have more faith in your money and in your material goods than you have in your eternal God? If so, then you are in financial bondage.

If you want to know how rich you really are, you add up everything you have that money can’t buy and death can’t take away.

Do you have more faith in your money and in your material goods than you have in Almighty God?

If you do, you are in financial bondage of the worst kind. I don’t care how rich you are.

2. Do You Have Ambitions That Are Not Square with the Will of God?

Number two: Do you have ambitions and goals in your life that are not square with the will of God?

Are there things that you want to do with your money—financial ambitions, financial goals—that are not in the will of God?

Then, you are in financial bondage.

3. Do You Have a Burning Desire for Money?

Number three: Do you have a burning desire for money and a desire to get richer, faster? If you do, you’re in financial bondage.

4. Do You Compromise Your Christian Ethic?

Number four: Do you compromise your Christian ethic and fail to honor a moral obligation? If you do, you’re in financial bondage.

You see, it was legal for these people to do what they were doing, in a sense. There was no civil law against it, and so therefore they were doing it just because they could get away with it.

But I want to tell you, a person who loves money more than he loves God, and a person who will do what he can do just simply because it is legal, is under financial bondage.

Money has become his god.

Some people are very poor, and they’re in financial bondage.

Some people are very poor, and they’re in financial bondage. Some people are very rich, but they’re still in bondage. The devil has them. And I wish I had more time to talk about that, because, folks, I could just pull over in this neighborhood and visit for a long time; but I don’t have time to do it because of the other long announcement. I’m going to lay the enemy out here right now.

Some people are very rich, but they’re still in bondage.

The devil has them. And I wish I had more time to talk about that, because, I could just pull over in this neighborhood and visit for a long time; but I don’t have time to do it this morning.

I’m going to lay the enemy out here right now.

I’m hoping for each of us tpo take time to reread thru the first 13 verses in Nehemiah chapter 5. To read .

Take time to really evaluate how much money has it’s grip on you and your relationship with Christ?

Again, please know that this has been a very difficult lesson for me to write and digest. God is doing a mighty work in my life right now thru chapter 5.

So this is not meant to discourage, but encourage. Shine a light on how satan will use this tool to divide our marriages, our relationships, our families.

Anything to add…any additional thoughts?

Next week is the remedy.

We will focus on verses 14-19..The Principles of Financial Freedom!

Let’s Pray

Second Part of the Lesson

II. The Principles of Financial Freedom

This morning I want us to to see the principles of financial freedom.

Last Sunday we focused on the problems of being in bondage financially, today will be a different path.

Beginning in verse 14. Nehemiah really read them the riot act. He’s talking about these people who were taking advantage of other people, and then he begins with the statement in verse 14:

Nehemiah 5:14 CSB

That is, “In contradistinction to this, I want you to notice the way I live,” Nehemiah said. He wasn’t the kind of a leader who said, “Don’t do as I do; do as I say do.”

“Moreover.” () That is, “In contradistinction to this, I want you to notice the way I live,” Nehemiah said. He wasn’t the kind of a leader who said, “Don’t do as I do; do as I say do.” He was the kind of a leader who could say as the Apostle Paul said, “You follow me, as I follow Christ.” () “Do as I do.” “Moreover,” Nehemiah says, “I’m going to tell you the way I live with my finances.”

He was the kind of a leader who could say as the Apostle Paul said, “You follow me, as I follow Christ.” ()

“Do as I do.” “Moreover,” Nehemiah says, “I’m going to tell you the way I live with my finances.”

I want you to see how this great leader, this man of God, lived. And there are about five or six principles I want you to see here that I think are wonderful principles, because they are the principles of financial freedom.

A. The Principle of Priority

First of all, there is the principle of priority. Verses 14 and 15:

Nehemiah 5:14–15 CSB

14 Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah—from the twentieth year until his thirty-second year, twelve years—I and my associates never ate from the food allotted to the governor. 15 The governors who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them food and wine as well as a pound of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but because of the fear of God, I didn’t do this.

Nehemiah 5:14 CSB

Now, what does that mean?

“Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.” ()

Now, what does that mean?

Now, what does that mean? He says, “I was the governor of all of this area. I was appointed governor by the king, and I had every right to tax the people; I had every right to have my needs supplied, because I as the governor ought to draw a certain salary as the governor.” But notice what he says in verse 15: “But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.” () Nehemiah was a remarkable man. Nehemiah had certain rights and certain prerogatives, but he would not exercise those rights; he would not exercise those prerogatives. He said, “I refused to take what was rightfully mine, because I feared God.”

He says, “I was the governor of all of this area. I was appointed governor by the king, and I had every right to tax the people; I had every right to have my needs supplied, because I as the governor ought to draw a certain salary as the governor.”

But notice what he says in verse 15

Nehemiah 5:15 CSB

15 The governors who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them food and wine as well as a pound of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but because of the fear of God, I didn’t do this.

Nehemiah was a remarkable man. Nehemiah had certain rights and certain prerogatives, but he would not exercise those rights; he would not exercise those prerogatives. He said, “I refused to take what was rightfully mine, because I feared God.”

Now, what did he mean by that? He meant that “we were in such a state of emergency and there was such a turmoil that I was willing to forego my rights, that God might be glorified.”

The bottom line was this: He was just simply putting God first.

He had his priorities right. He was putting God first.

Here’s the key question, “Are you willing to do that?”

“Are you willing to lay aside all of your financial rights and put God first?”

Are you willing to do that?

I want to tell you God Himself will not work in second place.

I want to tell you God Almighty will not work in second place. And as long as you put your business, your plans, your desires, your ambitions, your goals first, you will never, no never, no never, no never, never, never know financial freedom. But Jesus has made a promise that if we get our priorities straight; if we will “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things shall be added unto us.”

And as long as you put your business, your plans, your desires, your ambitions, your goals first, you will never, no never, no never, no never, never, never know financial freedom.

But Jesus has made a promise that if we get our priorities straight; if we will “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things shall be added unto us.”

There is the principle of priority.

Nehemiah looked at the things he could have done, but he said, “I didn’t do them, because I want to glorify God.”

The will of God meant more to him than anything else.

And if money is your god; if money is your goal, you will never know financial freedom. Whether you be rich or whether you be poor, you’ll be in bondage.

Now, have you gotten your priorities straightened?

You see, if you don’t put God first, you’re foolish, because you’re playing the losing game.

A man says, “Well, it’s hard for me to trust: I deal in reality.” Reality is what’s real.

Is this chair real?

Is this room real?

Are our clothes real?

Are our cars and homes real?

They are not real, because they’re not lasting.

Listen to this scripture. In 2 Corinthians chapter 4, verse 18, the Bible says,

2 Corinthians 4:18 CSB

18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Do you know what that means?

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” () Do you know what that means? That reality is not in something you can see, taste, touch, smell or feel; Reality is in God. And, friend, if you’re putting your trust in things that you can see and touch and taste and smell and feel and count, you are living in a world of illusion. The things that are seen are temporal; the things that are not seen are eternal.

That reality is not in something you can see, taste, touch, smell or feel;

Reality is in God.

And, if you’re putting your trust in things that you can see and touch and taste and smell and feel and count, you are living in a world of illusion.

The things that are seen are temporal; the things that are not seen are eternal.

I believe Nehemiah would say, “My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.” The Solid Rock hymn by Edward Mote

You see, it’s only when we put God first that we come in contact with reality.

B. The Principle of Industry

Not only is there the principle of priority, but there’s the principle of industry.

I want you to look in verse 16. He goes on to say,

Not only is there the principle of priority, but there’s the principle of industry. I want you to look in verse 16. He goes on to say, “Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall.” () Just draw a circle around that word work: “I continued in the work of this wall.” You see, look: If your goal is to get enough money in the bank so you won’t have to work anymore, you don’t even understand what life is all about. Did you know that there are thousands of people who would like to have it arranged where they won’t have to work anymore? Did you know the Bible says, “Six days thou shalt work”? () Do you know the same Bible that tells us to rest is also the Bible that tells us to work? And do you know why some folks don’t have financial freedom? Because they think that work is a dirty word.

Nehemiah 5:16 CSB

16 Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of this wall, and all my subordinates were gathered there for the work. We didn’t buy any land.

Just draw a circle around that word work.

“Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall.” () Just draw a circle around that word work: “I continued in the work of this wall.” You see, look: If your goal is to get enough money in the bank so you won’t have to work anymore, you don’t even understand what life is all about. Did you know that there are thousands of people who would like to have it arranged where they won’t have to work anymore? Did you know the Bible says, “Six days thou shalt work”? () Do you know the same Bible that tells us to rest is also the Bible that tells us to work? And do you know why some folks don’t have financial freedom? Because they think that work is a dirty word.

You see, look: If your goal is to get enough money in the bank so you won’t have to work anymore, you don’t even understand what life is all about.

Did you know that there are thousands of people who would like to have it arranged where they won’t have to work anymore?

Did you know the Bible says, “Six days you shall work”? ()

Do you know the same Bible that tells us to rest is also the Bible that tells us to work?

And do you know why some folks don’t have financial freedom?

Because they think that work is a dirty word.

Think on this...“Some people don’t recognize an opportunity because it comes dressed in overalls and it looks like work.” Amen?

It’s an opportunity, but it came to them dressed in overalls. And so they don’t think it’s an opportunity.

There are a lot people who want a position; they don’t want a job.

But Nehemiah, who was well off; and Nehemiah, who was the governor; and Nehemiah, who had a high government job, got down there, put on his overalls, took his trowel, took his sword, and continued to build a wall.

Why was Nehemiah such a free man financially?

Now, folks, let me tell you something. We in America had better get back to this idea of work. The principle of financial freedom is spelled w-o-r-k—industry. Was Nehemiah such a free man financially? Number one: priority—he put God first. Number two: industry—he knew what it was to go to work. And he was not afraid of work; he wasn’t trying to get out of work.

Number one: priority—he put God first.

Number two: industry—he knew what it was to go to work.

And he was not afraid of work; he wasn’t trying to get out of work.

C. The Principle of Integrity

Now, let me give you the third principle. The third principle is integrity.

Look in chapter 5, verse 16, again:

Nehemiah 5:16 CSB

16 Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of this wall, and all my subordinates were gathered there for the work. We didn’t buy any land.

Now, what does that mean?

“Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land.” () Now, what does that mean? He had integrity. You see, this was a time of economic distress, and Nehemiah had a bank roll; and he could have gone in with his bank roll and bought this distressed property, but he refused to do it. You see, just because it was legal didn’t mean it was right. Nehemiah refused to take advantage of someone else, and he refused to participate in a get-rich-quick scheme.

He had integrity.

You see, this was a time of economic distress, and Nehemiah had a bank roll; and he could have gone in with his bank roll and bought this distressed property, but he refused to do it.

You see, just because it was legal didn’t mean it was right.

Nehemiah refused to take advantage of someone else, and he refused to participate in a get-rich-quick scheme.

Proverbs chapter 28, verse 20, says,

Proverbs 28:20 CSB

20 A faithful person will have many blessings, but one in a hurry to get rich will not go unpunished.

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” () Here was a man who practiced integrity. Are you honest in your business? Are you honest with God about your tithe? Are you honest in your income tax? Some say, “Honesty pays.” But, friend, it may cost. Are you honest, when it costs? Are you willing to walk circumspectly, to walk in integrity? No wonder Nehemiah was such a man of God. He knew the principle—folks, listen to me—of priority: he put God first; of industry: he knew what it was to work. The Bible says, “If any would not work, neither should he eat.” () And he knew the principle of integrity. He lived an honest life, a life of integrity. There are so many scriptures I’d like to give, but the time is gone. I’m just going to skip to the next principle.

Here was a man who practiced integrity.

Are you honest in your business?

Are you honest with God about your tithe?

Are you honest in your income tax?

Some say, “Honesty pays.” It may cost.

Are you honest, when it costs?

Are you willing to walk in integrity?

No wonder Nehemiah was such a man of God.

He knew the principle of priority: he put God first; of industry: he knew what it was to work.

And he knew the principle of integrity.

He lived an honest life, a life of integrity.

D. The Principle of Generosity

There’s the principle of generosity.

Begin reading in verse 17:

Nehemiah 5:17 CSB

17 There were 150 Jews and officials, as well as guests from the surrounding nations at my table.

You know how many he had for dinner every night? One hundred and fifty.

“Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers …”—you know how many he had for dinner every night? One hundred and fifty. I mean, how would you like to have 150 for dinner every night for twelve years? Who footed the bill? The government? Nehemiah footed the bill. Listen: “Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us.” () Besides the 150, they were always bringing guests with them. They said, “Oh, yeah, my brother Throckmorton needs to come.” And so they were bringing him.

I mean, how would you like to have 150 for dinner every night for twelve years? Who footed the bill? The government?

Nehemiah footed the bill.

Listen besides the 150, they were always bringing guests with them. They said, “Oh, yeah, my brother Throckmorton needs to come.” And so they were bringing him.

Now, look. And what did they eat?

He didn’t just give them hot dogs and hamburgers.

Look at this now...

Nehemiah 5:18 CSB

18 Each day, one ox, six choice sheep, and some fowl were prepared for me. An abundance of all kinds of wine was provided every ten days. But I didn’t demand the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy.

Wasn’t Nehemiah a great man? I’m really humbled by his actions.

“Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.” () Wasn’t Nehemiah a great man? Listen. Nehemiah took the best. He didn’t just give them those old cast-off things. He took the very best, and he set these people down—several hundred people a day. Man, you talk about a wealthy man—he must have been very wealthy! And he fed them and fed them and fed them. And he refused to take the salary that a governor might have. Why? Because he had learned the principle that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” ()

Nehemiah took the best. He didn’t just give them those old cast-off things.

He took the very best, and he set these people down—several hundred people a day.

You talk about a wealthy man—he must have been very wealthy!

And he fed them and fed them and fed them.

And he refused to take the salary that a governor might have.

Why? Because he had learned the principle that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” ()

I know what you’re thinking, “Where did he get all this stuff?”

God kept giving it to him.

Why did God keep giving it to him?

Because he kept giving it away.

You see, he had learned to be just a point of distribution. He had learned what Jesus said:

Luke 6:38 CSB

38 Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

You can’t out-give God.

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.” () You can’t out-give God. Nehemiah found that out. Why did God take care of Nehemiah? Because Nehemiah put God first, and because he walked in integrity, and because he had generosity. The Bible says very clearly in 2 Corinthians chapter 9, verse 6, “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;”—you want a small crop? Just plant a few seeds. You want a big crop?—“and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” ()

Nehemiah found that out.

Why did God take care of Nehemiah? Because Nehemiah put God first, and because he walked in integrity, and because he had generosity.

The Bible says very clearly in 2 Corinthians chapter 9, verse 6,

2 Corinthians 9:6 CSB

6 The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.

“He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;”—you want a small crop? Just plant a few seeds. You want a big crop?—“and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” ()

Now then, you want me to tell you how to give?

Pay attention now.

Let’s talk about generosity. Here’s how to give.

Kerry and I have seven principles of spiritual giving.

We’re talking about the principle of generosity here, and you think about these things and see if they’re not true.

1. God Knows What the Need Is

Number one: God knows what the need is. Now you would agree with that, wouldn’t you?

God knows—God knows what the need is. So if there’s a need, God knows it.

2. God Knows How Much He Wants to Make Available Through Me

Number two: God knows how much He wants to make available through me. Don’t you believe God knows how much He wants you to give in any situation? He knows all things.

So God knows what the need is. God also knows what He wants to make available through you.

God knows what He wants you to give.

Who could disagree with that—that God knows the need, and He knows what He wants to make available through you? No one can disagree with that.

3. God is Pleased to Let Me Know What He Wants Me to Give

All right, number three: God is pleased to let me know what He wants me to give.

Is there anybody in this class that thinks God has a will about something and He refuses to let us know it?

Now God knows what the need is.

God knows how much of that need He wants to meet through me. God is able to let me know it.

Now is there anybody who can argue with those three things?

4. God Will Enable Me to Be Sufficient to Do Anything He Leads Me to Do

All right, number four: God will enable me to be sufficient to do anything He leads me to do.

Is God going to ask me to do something I cannot do?

Is God going to say, “Joe, jump over this building; if you don’t jump over it, you’re a sinner?”

Well, I can’t worship a God like that, because I wouldn’t be able to jump over this building.

You see, anything that God tells me to do, He enables me to do.

God knows what the need is.

God knows what part He wants me to have in meeting that need.

God is able to show me what part He wants me to have in meeting that need. And because of that, God is able to supply the need—the needs that I have to do that He’s told me to do.

God doesn’t ask me to give of my resources. “Of thine own have we given thee.” ()

5. God’s Resources Are Not Limited

Now, look—number five: When I give from God’s resources that are unlimited rather than from my limited resources, then I am not limited in what I can give.

When I give from God’s resources, all I have to do is just find out what God wants me to do.

If God says, “Joe, I want you to give 500,000 dollars,” I’d gulp about 40,000 times.

But I’ll guarantee you this: If God told me He wanted me to give a half-a-million dollars, He’d have to give me a half-million dollars that I could give.

And I firmly believe He would, if I’m walking in the Spirit, being obedient to His Word and His Will.

You see, look. God knows what the need is.

God knows how much He wants to make available through me.

God is pleased to let me know what He wants me to give. And God will enable me to be sufficient to do anything that He leads me to do.

And then I’ll give from His resources rather than mine.

6. Spiritual Giving Requires the Presence and the Power of God

Number six: This kind of giving requires the presence and the power of God.

You see, you can take an unsaved man and talk about any kind of giving, and he’ll say, “All right now, let me see. I’ve got the house payment. I’ve got a car payment. I’ve got this. I’ve got that. We’ve got so much in the savings. We have so much income. I believe I can give so and so.”

What’s spiritual about that? Any pagan can do that.

But this kind of giving requires the presence and the power of God.

Hopefully you understand what I am saying.

This kind of giving means that I must get on my face before God and say, “God, what do you want me to do?”; and then, “God, if you’ve laid it on my heart, you’re going to enable me to do it.”

Both Kerry and i truly believe that this is the only kind of giving that really glorifies God and causes a believer to grow.

The other kind of giving doesn’t glorify God.

But this kind of giving glorifies God.

We believe that’s the kind of giving that Nehemiah was doing. Nehemiah was so in touch with God, there was a need, and God allowed Nehemiah to meet it. And he did it day after day after day after day.

And we believe, as God gave to him, he gave; and God gave to him, and he gave; and God gave to him, and he gave. Wouldn’t you like to be operating like that? That’s financial freedom.

E. The Principle of Dependability

The last principle that I want to give is the principle of dependability. Look in verse 19:

Nehemiah 5:19 CSB

19 Remember me favorably, my God, for all that I have done for this people.

Do you think God forgets it when you’re generous?

“Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.” () Do you think God forgets it when you’re generous? He doesn’t, my friend. Nehemiah depended upon God to reward him. He wasn’t looking to some man; he was looking to God and he was depending upon God to supply his every need. He said, “O God, now you think upon me. Lord, I’ve put you first. Now, God, you’re going to put me first.” And God will do it. He will do it. As surely as there’s a God in heaven, He will do it. You put God first, and God will think upon you for good and take care of you. Folks, look. It pleases God when His people are blessed.

He doesn’t. Nehemiah depended upon God to reward him. He wasn’t looking to some man; he was looking to God and he was depending upon God to supply his every need.

He said, “Remember me favorably Lord, I’ve put you first. Now, God, you’re going to put me first.”

And God will do it.

He will do it.

As surely as there’s a God in heaven, He will do it.

You put God first, and God will think upon you for good and take care of you. Friends…Kerry and I truly believe it pleases God when His people are blessed.

Conclusion

Let us give you a verse of Scripture, and with that I’ll close—

Psalm 35:27 CSB

27 Let those who want my vindication shout for joy and be glad; let them continually say, “The Lord be exalted. He takes pleasure in his servant’s well-being.”

Don’t you love that verse? “The LORD be exalted. He takes pleasure in his servant’s well-being.”

, verse 27: “Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.” () Don’t you love that verse? “Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of His servants.” Did you know that God enjoys your prospering? He really does. God doesn’t want you in financial bondage. He wants to set you free.

There’s the principle of priority. There’s the principle of industry. There’s the principle of integrity. There is the principle of generosity. There is the principle of dependability. You can trust God. You can! You can! You can!

Oh, friend, you listen to me. There’s the principle of priority. There’s the principle of industry. There’s the principle of integrity. There is the principle of generosity. There is the principle of dependability. You can trust God. You can! You can! You can!

Any additional thoughts?

Let’s pray

Next week is Chapter 6: Devices of the Devil

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 10:55 AM November 6, 2019.

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Nehemiah 5: "God's Formula for Financial Freedom"

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God’s Formula for Financial Freedom

Main Scripture Text:

Outline

Introduction

I. The Problems of Financial Bondage

I. The Problems of Financial Bondage

A. Strife and Divisions

B. Shortage of Humans Needs

Second Part of the Lesson

II. The Principles of Financial Freedom

Conclusion