Nehemiah was a good man. He was humble, selfless, and generous. He modelled the very kind of person that pleases God. Naturally then, he was shocked when he saw how selfish his people were in their relationships with each other. There were a number of commandments in the Law of Moses that were aimed at protecting the family equality in the Israelite community. One of these commands prohibited an Israelite from charging interest for a loan given to another Israelite (Exodus 22:25). God wanted lending to be a relational act to build community rather than a business transaction aimed at building individual wealth. This was not a blanket ban on transactional financing for all time. The point was to teach people to be kind and generous to each other. Would you describe yourself as a kind and generous person? Will it be said of you at your funeral, that you were a good person? You cannot always control whether you become a wealthy person or a notable person in society. You cannot control whether you have great natural ability or intelligence. But you can become a good person if you choose. Be interested in other people, in their experiences and especially their problems. Listen to people. Seek opportunities to be generous to others in need. Spend time with people who are lonely. Encourage someone today. These are simple things. But it is the simple things that matter most.
Reflect on how you can show simple goodness to others today.
Read Nehemiah 5
