Page 51 - Principles of Leadership - Nehemiah

Osborne writes in Accidental Pharisees that we need to be careful that we do not cross a theological boundary
of interpretation that gives us permission to “look down on others or sublimates Jesus’ grace and mercy to
emphasize our radical obedience and sacrifice. That, too, makes Jesus gag.” 162 As I study the doctrines of wealth
and poverty, the doctrinal divide is massive! Only our Lord will be able to help us reach a consensus that the
authors of Globalizing Theology call for. Or we can always run back into our local church cocoon and listen to
those congregants who cry out for us to take care of their wants, their needs, and their desires. The best way I
know how to measure this issue is to look at the budgets of our churches.

In this next section of scriptures, Nehemiah was challenged to help his followers move beyond what Justin
Irving calls “The Ceiling of Self-Interest.” 163 Justin believes that when leaders model what matters for followers,
the Ceiling of Self-Interest begins to erode. We are about to read how Nehemiah took his own money and lent
it to his brothers for their very survival. Because Nehemiah was a model, the people were willing to follow his
example, and they were willing to move beyond their Self-Interest.

When leaders model what matters for followers, the
ceiling of Self-Interest begins to erode.

2. Nehemiah’s solution (5:6-13)
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. 9 Then I said, “What you are doing isn’t right.
Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God ⌊and not invite⌋ the reproach of our foreign enemies? 10 Even I, as
well as my brothers and my servants, have been lending them money and grain. Please, let us stop charging
this interest. 11 Return their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses to them immediately, along with the
percentage of the money, grain, new wine, and olive oil that you have been assessing them.” 12 They
responded: “We will return ⌊these things⌋ and require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” So, I
summoned the priests and made everyone take an oath to do this. 13 I also shook the folds of my robe and
said, “May God likewise shake from his house and property everyone who doesn’t keep this promise. May he
be shaken out and have nothing!” The whole assembly said, “Amen,” and they praised the LORD. Then the
people did as they had promised.

Before I begin to elaborate on the verses, I want you to realize who Nehemiah was about to address here. He
was going to have to deal with the power brokers of the Jewish community. These were the people with money
and power. They were exploiting the poor, who composed most of the people, but they had little power. If I can
put it in modern-day terms, these were the people who gave the most on any given Sunday. These people kept
the lights turned on and provided most of your paycheck as the pastor. These were the people who would
suffer financially if they were to leave your church. Nehemiah did not have to worry about these financial
constraints because it would become plain that he was independently wealthy. However, he did need to
concern himself with a major power struggle. In the midst of all that has already gone on, he cannot afford to
alienate the tribal leaders.

How would Nehemiah react to this power encounter and request from the disadvantaged and disenfranchised?
His immediate response states that he became extremely angry when he heard their outcry and these
complaints. James Montgomery Boice says that there is a time for anger. “There are times when anyone with a
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