9/8/13- Leadership to repent

9 So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? 10 I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest! 11 Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them—one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil.”
(Nehemiah 5:9-11)

Thoughts: It is not the lending that is wrong, it is the charging large interest rates when there was as famine and people were desperate.  The result of such interest was the practical enslavement of those who were in need, foreclosing on their fields and houses.  Nehemiah motivated them to do right in three ways: 
1) They needed to respect God's rules above their own monetary gain. 
2) They needed to see that to not care for their fellow believers brought derision from outsiders. 
3) Nehemiah associated himself and his close associates with those who lent. Even though he may not have used interest, he still associated with them and encouraged them all to not charge interest.  
    Nehemiah then told them how to make things right.  He did not just say they should feel bad, but gave them a concrete path to make things right- to give them back what they took and the interest charged.
    Practically speaking, these are three good points for any of us to ask ourselves: 1) What does the Bible says- is it clear and united on its advice? 
2) Is the action chosen loving or selfish- and does it bring derision on the church? 3) Is there a way to make things right- if so, what is it? 

Prayer: Lord, give me ears to hear you above all other voices.  Give me grace to do what I need to do to please you and show love to your people.