Restart: Stepping Out in FaithSample

A CITY “COUNSEL” MEETING What do you do when your team appears to be rooting for the opposition? That’s the way it must have seemed to Nehemiah as the rich Jews oppressed the poorer ones until they were so impoverished they were being sold into slavery. It angered Nehemiah that the people who had been united under the common cause of building the wall were now torn apart by internal trouble. So he spoke to the accused privately. But, because it was not something which should be swept under the rug, he held a public hearing. None of the leaders said anything in their own defense. By calling a meeting where he counsels with them publicly, Nehemiah sends a clear message that usury will not be condoned and that he will not quietly slap the hand of the offending rich with the hope that they will correct themselves. This very public flap comes as a result of greed on the side of one party. Where in our society do we see this happening? Is it present in houses of worship as well? Find out if usury is being practiced in your community. What classes of people or ethnic group(s) is it aimed at primarily? What can you do to expose or curtail it? Pray: You, Lord, give me all I need. Keep me from covetousness and greed.