What other scriptures emphasize the importance of generosity and fairness in finances? Nehemiah 5:10 in Focus “My brothers and my servants are also lending them money and grain. But let us stop this usury.” • Nehemiah confronts nobles who were charging interest to fellow Israelites, underscoring that God’s people must treat one another with equity and compassion in financial matters. • The call is to cease exploitation, restore what was taken, and model God’s own generous character. Old Testament Foundations of Fair and Generous Finances • Leviticus 25:35-37 — “If your brother becomes poor… you are to support him… you must not charge him interest or usury.” • Deuteronomy 15:7-11 — Open-handedness toward a needy brother is presented as a tangible expression of obedience. • Deuteronomy 24:14-15 — Day laborers are to be paid promptly; withholding wages is sin. • Proverbs 3:27-28 — “Do not withhold good from the one to whom it is due… do not say to your neighbor, ‘Come back tomorrow.’” • Proverbs 11:24-25 — The generous person “will be enriched”; generosity brings God’s blessing. • Isaiah 58:6-10 — True fasting is loosing injustice, sharing bread with the hungry, bringing the homeless poor into one’s house. • Amos 5:11-12 — Strong denunciation of those who trample on the poor, exact taxes, and profit unjustly. Wisdom Warnings Against Exploitation • Proverbs 22:9 — “A generous man will be blessed.” • Proverbs 28:8 — “He who increases his wealth by interest and usury gathers it for one who is kind to the poor.” • Ecclesiastes 5:10 — Love of money never satisfies; greed is vanity. Jesus’ Teaching on Wealth and Giving • Matthew 6:19-24 — Treasures laid up in heaven last; serving God and money simultaneously is impossible. • Luke 3:11 — John the Baptist: “The one who has two tunics should share with him who has none.” • Luke 6:38 — “Give, and it will be given to you… For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” • Luke 12:33-34 — “Sell your possessions and give to the poor… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” • Matthew 25:34-40 — The King commends those who fed, clothed, and visited the least of His brothers. The Early Church Model • Acts 2:44-45 — Believers sold property and possessions to give to anyone as had need. • Acts 4:32-35 — No one claimed private ownership; “There were no needy among them.” Pauline Principles for Generous Stewardship • 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 — Macedonians give beyond their ability; giving is an act of grace patterned after Christ, “though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor.” • 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 — Sowing generously leads to reaping generously; “God loves a cheerful giver.” • 1 Timothy 6:17-19 — The wealthy are commanded to be rich in good works, generous and ready to share, storing up treasure for the future. Further Apostolic Exhortations • Hebrews 13:5 — “Keep your lives free from the love of money; be content with what you have.” • James 2:15-17 — Faith without meeting a brother’s physical needs is dead. • James 5:1-4 — Wages withheld cry out against unjust landowners. • 1 John 3:16-18 — Love is proven by meeting a brother’s material needs. Key Threads to Weave Into Daily Life • God owns everything; believers steward His resources. • Fairness: never exploit, underpay, or profit at another’s expense. • Generosity: actively look for ways to meet needs, confident God supplies seed to the sower. • Witness: the world sees the character of Christ when His people give freely and deal justly. The storyline of Scripture, from Torah to the letters, echoes Nehemiah’s plea: stop exploiting, start restoring, and mirror the lavish generosity of the Lord who gave Himself for us. |
    |