Real Engagement in a Broken World

Reaching Out

Series in Nehemiah. Sermon 5 in the Series

As presented by Rev. Jonathan Mills, Pastor at Kanata Baptist Church.

2009-10-18

Subject: In today's world, we are sceptical about wealthy people—particualrly in the wake of the sub-prime mortgage crisis, and the collapse of Nortel. Nehemiah is moved by the social concerns of the people—and acts on behalf of the poor. We are called to make a better world by doing our part to help the poor.

Scriptures¹:

Nehemiah 5:1-15

1 Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews. 2 Some were saying, "We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain."

3 Others were saying, "We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine."

4 Still others were saying, "We have had to borrow money to pay the king's tax on our fields and vineyards. 5 Although we are of the same flesh and blood as the rest of our people and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others."

6 When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. 7 I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, "You are charging your own people interest!" So I called together a large meeting to deal with them 8 and said: "As far as possible, we have bought back our fellow Jews who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your own people, only for them to be sold back to us!" They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.

9 So I continued, "What you are doing is not right. Shouldn't you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? 10 I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest! 11 Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them—one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil."

12 "We will give it back," they said. "And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say."

  Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. 13 I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, "In this way may God shake out of their houses and possessions anyone who does not keep this promise. So may such a person be shaken out and emptied!"
  At this the whole assembly said, "Amen," and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.

14 Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. 15 But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that.

Matthew 25:14-30

 14"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

 19"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'

 21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

 22"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'

 23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

 24"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'

 26"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

 28" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Introduction

2008-2009 has been a bad year for the global economy.

The financial markets have been in disarray—Wall street thrown into a precipitous decline—unemployment has been on the rise—and the US government has had to bail out failing financial institutions to the tune of Trillions of dollars.

Some countries have been utterly devastated by the dramatic turn in the economy.

Iceland has been hardest hit: All three of Iceland's banks collapsed – this is considered the largest banking collapse in world economic history. The Stock Market in Iceland has declined 90%, and the national debt last year is estimated at more than 5 times the nation's Gross Domestic Product—raising the distinct possibility that the whole nation of Iceland could go bankrupt.

While Canada has fared much better than many other nations, we have felt the effects of the global market meltdown. Many here have felt the pain of layoffs, experienced huge losses in retirement savings or retirement yields caused by the plunging stock market, and for those with Nortel pensions … and this affects some in our congregation and many more in our community … the future is very unclear today.

A) Money Markets, Wall Street and Wealthy CEOs

Thankfully, the markets have shown signs of improvement lately, but it has left the whole world wondering if there is something terribly wrong with the global financial markets.

The events of this past year have certainly fueled an angry backlash against the Banks and Trading Houses of Wall Street – and particularly those individuals who have been most responsible for the crisis. In particular, some CEO's have continued to receive compensation packages in millions of dollars, despite the fact that they have steered their companies to the brink of collapse and thrown the global markets into crisis.

That's the part that is so hard to take.

It can be quite upsetting – and some people are so outraged they want to do something to strike back.

Fun with Dick and Jane

There was a movie made in 2005 – before the recent Global economic downturn – which provided some social commentary on corporate greed. It stars a familiar Canadian-born actor, and is something of a stinging indictment of white collar criminal activity. Anyone know the movie I'm referring to?

Hint: The actor is Jim Carrey.

Wait a minute … did you say Jim Carrey? Making a film with probing social commentary? Come on! Get serious.

I am serious.

The film is: Fun with Dick and Jane.

I know, it doesn't sound like a very deep movie—and of course it is typical of a Jim Carey film; light on substance with lots of cheap laughs. But there is a very harsh criticism of corporate America that comes out in this film—and I'd like to share with you a short scene.

Here is the context. The film is about Dick Harper—played by Jim Carrey—who is an up and coming junior executive in a large corporation. He gets a promotion and it appears that everything Dick's world is perfect: a beautiful wife, a BMW, a nice home in the suburbs … he is living the American dream.

But then, the company CEO Jack McAllister—played by Alec Baldwin—pulls the plug on the company. He transfers millions out of the company, causing the stock to plummet, eventually leaving Harper and all the other employees out of work.

Most of the film is the story of Dick Harper and his family as they go from riches to rags.

The climax of the film comes when Harper learns that McAllister is about to deposit all of his tens of millions into an offshore bank account. He comes up with a plan and gets his wife to secretly switch McAllister's bank deposit form in order to steal all the money back.

At the last minute, just as he is about to sign away the money, McAllister notices the form has been switched … their plan fails.

[Start: 1:17:00. McAlister walking toward Jack. End; Jack takes cheque. Closes eyes. 1:20:00]

Basically, what happens is that Dick tries to stop Jack from leaving the bank. When Jack says that he knows exactly what they are up to, Dick pulls a gun and threatens to shoot Jack; “I'm not leaving this bank without my money.”

In response, Jack says; “I admire someone willing to do what you did today.” He pulls out his cheque book and writes a check to Dick and says; “And I am not going to cancel it when I walk out of the bank.”

He writes the cheque and says: “here's what I think you're worth, Dick.” and shows him a cheque made out for $100. Then he walks out of the bank as Dick holds his head in sadness.

The Evil CEO

As I said, this film came out in 2005.

What I want you to see is the interaction of these two men.

On the one hand, Dick Harper who has lost everything—even his sense of self-dignity—to the point that he is willing to take his son's squirt gun and threaten the life of his former CEO.

And the CEO, played so well by Alec Baldwin, who says: "this is what I think you're worth" – hands him the cheque for $100 while staring at him with a look of utter contempt.²

I want you to feel what Dick Harper is feeling in that moment.

Humiliation. Loss. Anger.

Most of all, Anger.

B) Nehemiah is Outraged for the Poor

If you understand that feeling of Anger, you will be in a better position to understand the scripture passage we are looking at today from Nehemiah.

Much of our attention in the book of Nehemiah as been the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem. But as we saw at the beginning of the study of this Old Testament book, the wall surrounding the city was only part of Nehemiah's concern. He was there to rebuild a nation. And he discovered that there were a lot more things broken down in Jerusalem than just the walls.

Excessive Taxation: Selling Children into Slavery

[Verse 4] … others were saying, "We have had to borrow money to pay the king's tax on our fields and vineyards. 5 Although we are of the same flesh and blood as the rest of our people and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others."

6 When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry.

In the first 6 verses of chapter 5, the people raise a complaint with Nehemiah.

Because there was a famine in the land, food was scarce, crop yields were poor or non-existent, and everyone was under tremendous pressure. Those who owned land were forced to mortgage their properties in order to pay their taxes (vs. 3). When they borrowed money, they were charged extortionate rates of interest (vs. 4) and as a result, some had lost their land and their homes, and many were even forced to sell their children into slavery (vs. 5).³

The wealthy nobles and officials were taking advantage of these circumstances in order to build up considerable wealth, built upon the backs and shoulders of the working poor. It was a typical case of the rich exploiting the poor.

This kind of exploitation is always offensive to the people of God – for those who understand the meaning of justice. But this situation was particularly infuriating for Nehemiah since those who were responsible for the exploitation were fellow Jews.

And so, Nehemiah burned with anger...

Business Loans, Interest and Usury

There is an important distinction which needs to be made concerning the repayment of loans.

There is a Hebrew word which is normally used in the Old Testament with reference to a secured loan—massa ah. In this instance, Nehemiah uses a different word which is translated "usury"--the imposition of a burden or claim for repayment.⁴

A first look at the Old Testament would suggest that loans charging interest were prohibited.⁵ As I engaged in further study, I found that the passages are not intended to prohibit commercial loans, but rather, to prevent abuse.

These prohibitions were given to prevent an unscrupulous person from charging extortionate interest rates to their impoverished neighbours—thereby making a profit from the person in who is in desperate circumstances.

The Bible does not prohibit the charging of loans, or even the making of profit. What it does condemn—in no uncertain terms—is the greed and avarice which seeks to make a profit at the expense of people.⁶ This kind of profiteering—callously forcing people to loose their homes, their fields, their means of livelihood, and even sell their own children into slavery … was unjust and offensive.

Now turn to Mark 11:15.

Mark 11: 15-17 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"

What Jesus observed in the temple was a grievous evil! The money changers were charging high exchange rates as the people came to pay their temple tax. They were profiting from the religious obligations of the people—and causing great hardship for the poor.

And it was done in the temple courts – which were meant to be the house of prayer for all nations …

The Nobles and Officials are Convicted of their Sin

[verse 9] So I continued, "What you are doing is not right. Shouldn't you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? 10 I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest! 11 Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them—one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil."

12 "We will give it back," they said. "And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say."

In verse 9 and following, Nehemiah speaks out. He exposed the cold-hearted indifference of these nobles and officials. And when these abuses were brought to their attention, they could not say anything in defense of their actions because they knew they were guilty!

He challenged them to do what is right—and forgo their right to repayment with interest—and show compassion to those who were being victimized through the imposition of usury. And they all agreed to follow Nehemiah's example—giving food and financial aid without charging interest.

He spoke out against the exploitation of the poor—and brought about financial reform. This was one more major accomplishment for Nehemiah.

C) Being Generous in Helping the Poor

What about in our day? Is it possible that we might see economic reform?

I think we can … in fact, I am certain that we will see economic reform. But it may not happen exactly the way we envision it.

Let me explain.

Think back to the scene from the movie Fun with Dick and Jane. Remember: Jack McAllister writes a cheque to Dick Harper—a cheque for $100.

He has just deposited tens of millions in his own bank account … and now he turns around and writes a cheque for $100.

$100

That's not enough buy back the BMW that Dick Harper has lost. It won't pay for a new Plasma TV, or the closet full of business suits, or even the cell phone he used to have – all the symbols of his success which were taken away from him.

$100?!!

That's nothing. It's insulting. It's humiliating.

Can you feel Dick Harper's outrage again?

What is the Value of $100

Now, let's all get some perspective.

$100.

According to 2003 figures, $100 is the average monthly per capita income of more than ½ of the world's population.⁷

$100 a month.

For most of us, we look at this scene in the movie and think: A cheque for $100 is insulting. It's nothing.

Well, it's not nothing!!! It's a whole lot more than nothing!!! and until we see this, we will never have the faintest idea of the true realities out there in the world we live in.

We live in the country voted, best in the world for quality of life in 1999 and several subsequent years by International Living magazine. We have one of the highest standards of living in the world, a thriving economy, strong earning power with some of the lowest costs among industrialized nations, security, universal health care, the highest rate of college attendance in the world, and on average, our homes in Canada are the biggest in the world.

I compare myself to Jack McAllister and I can easily think: "I am a poor landowner crying out for justice—like the poor who cried out to Nehemiah in Jerusalem.

But in reality, I am not one of the poor families … I am one of the wealthy nobles and officials. I am the one who stands exposed and accused of injustice … and I dare not open my mouth in protest because the suffering of the poor has been heard by God, and if I refuse to listen, he will shake me out like he is shaking the folds of his garment …

If there is any reason for outrage—it is not because of what others have done to us … it is because we have turned away, and ignored the cry of the world's poor for justice.

Micro-Credit in the Slums of Mathare

What is the value of $100?

I'll tell you.

In January, while I was visiting the slums of Mathare in Nairobi, I met several families who had lost everything in the post election violence of 2008. Their homes had been burned to the ground—they escaped with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. They were left utterly destitute.

When we were there, they gave us a very detailed report telling us about the money they received for emergency food and shelter.

And then, they told us about receiving an additional sum of money—part of Canadian Baptist Ministries' Micro Credit initiative. It worked out to approximately $100 per family. They were to use the money to start their own businesses. And they did.

You have to understand that if they had gone to a bank for a loan, they probably would have been refused. And if, by some chance they could have managed to negotiate an unsecured loan, they would have been charged a very high interest rate.

The Micro Credit loans they were given are interest free.

So, here is a picture of one man's business. He purchased one push cart and began working right away. Now, a year later, he has paid back the whole loan and he has purchased two additional carts—and he hires two men to work for him.

We heard them tell story after story about how the loan was used to start their own business. Many of them are now self-sufficient and thriving. I will never forget the introductions when each one, in turn said, "My name is Nathan, and I am a business owner."

These families had lost everything.

But now, they have dignity and self-respect and the satisfaction of earning a decent income through their business.

What is the value of $100?

It made every difference in the world for these African families.

From being destitute, to running their own businesses.

From being hungry, to feeding their families

From being dependent on foreign aid, to being independent and self-sufficient.

Don't Turn Away, Stand In Solidarity

Yes, there will be economic reform. But it won't be accomplished through regulations and the imposition of penalties on the wealthy.

Rather, it will happen when you and I open our hearts to the poor.

When you and I get some much needed perspective and realize that we are the 'haves' and we are the ones who can – and must – help the 'have nots'

It will happen when we open our hands and our hearts and give generously to support the ministries that are engaging in innovative ministries, such as micro-credit loans.

It will happen when we serve the poor … personally … face to face; whether at the Kanata food bank, or Ottawa Inner City Mission, or at a Women's shelter, or even on a short term mission trip to the orphanage in Mexico, or our Kenyan partners in Maai Mahiu.

Economic reform will happen … one heart at a time.

Will you let God change your heart?

Will you hear the cry of the poor—and respond with kindness, compassion, friendship and generosity?

Conclusion

[verse 12]

Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. 13 I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, "In this way may God shake out of their houses and possessions anyone who does not keep this promise. So may such a person be shaken out and emptied!"

At this the whole assembly said, "Amen," and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.

[Additional Notes]

There is a lot of money that is held by a very small number of wealthy elite around the world. And one day, they will be required to give an account for what they have done. They will stand before the judgment seat of God—and will be like the rich man in Jesus' parable of the rich fool: "You fool!" God says; "This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." [Luke 12:13-21]

We must continue to work to uphold a just and equitable society, but there is much that is beyond our control.

What God does expect of each of us is to manage what He has entrusted to our care with integrity and responsibility.

[Mt 25:14-30]

In the Parable of the Talents, one is given 5 talents, one is given 2 talents and the third is given just one talent. The Master leaves and expects each one to responsibly manage what he has entrusted to their care.

And look what happens in this parable: the one who did nothing with his talent incurs the wrath of the Master – while the one who has been faithful with the 5 talents is given even more.

Sometimes people are frustrated with their economic situation in life and they wonder why they can never seem to get ahead. They think to themselves "I can't afford to give anything away but some day, when I have more money, I will be faithful and respond to the Scripture's call to give generously to support God's work in the world."

Listen, if you can't be generous with one talent, you will not be generous with two … or 5.

You show your faithfulness with the Talents you have—and God will reward you. 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

This is the word that God has for those who are faithful! Well done!

God expects us to be faithful with what has been entrusted to our care. Don't expect more if you are just burying it in the ground. But if you are faithful … if you are generous and open your hand to the poor and needy … well you may not get rich as far as earthly trasures go—but you will certainly be rich toward God … and He will most certainly reward you in this life, and in the age to come.

Malachai 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”