Treasure in Heaven

Nehemiah 5:1-19

1. Our Passage begins with people in trouble.

• Some are in trouble because their families are too numerous to feed themselves. 5:2
• Others are in trouble because they had to mortgage their fields, vineyards and homes during the famine. 5:3
• Still others are struggling because of the tax they are required to pay to the king. 5:4
• While some were suffering, others were reaping the benefits of the misfortune of their neighbors. 5:5

2. Nehemiah’s response was to be very angry. 5:6

• Nehemiah takes time to ponder the situation and devise a plan. 5:7
• He begins by calling on the carpet with those who are benefiting by the misfortunes of their neighbors; the nobles and the officials. 5:7
• Nehemiah then calls a large meeting and lays out his case, the people in power are convicted in their spirits, and they agree to change their ways.
• Nehemiah finishes the meeting by calling in the priests and making the nobles and officials promise before God that they will follow through with what they have said. 5:13

3. Our reverence for God should affect the way we live.

• Nehemiah calls on the people to live in a different way out of fear of God. 5:9
• Nehemiah did not accept all that was his due, because of his reverence for God. What is normal is not always what is right. 5:15
• This chapter begins with problems brought on by people following the way of the world and it ends with Nehemiah showing us the way of God.