In chapter 5 of Nehemiah we read about another of the problems that the Jews were having - with Jews.

Jews were lending Jews money - and charging such an interest rate during a time of famine that the "lendees" were having to sell their children into slavery.

Nehemiah told them: "The thing that you are doing is not good." Nehemiah stood up for those who were being taken advantage of financially.

It seems that it was about this time that Nehemiah was made governor in the land of Judah and the heading for this part of the chapter is "Nehemiah's Generousity". He did not take the food allowance, he did not "lord it over the people" and he acquired no property.

And still, he tells us that he "persevered in the work on this wall"...

So what?

We are not Jews, we are Christians. And we are part of the family of God.

Are there churches (or organizations) that take financial advantage of other Christians?  (I'm thinking of one "word-faith" church that requires members to turn in w-2's" each year so that the church can make sure that they are turning their entire tithe over to this church.)