Nehemiah and the Money Crunch: What’s Hindering Kingdom Work Today?
Text: Neh. 5
Introduction
A lack of money always slows down Kingdom work. We see this clearly in Nehemiah chapter 5, where the Israelites experienced a severe financial crisis. As they labored to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem—a task God had called them to—the weight of economic hardship began to take its toll. Families were mortgaging their fields, vineyards, and homes just to buy grain. Some were borrowing money at high interest rates to pay taxes, and others were even forced to sell their children into slavery to survive. This financial strain had a devastating impact on their ability to focus on the mission. Instead of devoting themselves fully to the work of restoration and obedience to God’s calling, their energy and attention were consumed by the urgent need to provide for their families.
Kingdom work requires more than just passion and purpose—it requires provision. When resources are scarce, even the most committed workers can become distracted or discouraged. This doesn't mean that God is dependent on our money, but rather that the people He chooses to use are often limited by material needs. In Nehemiah's day, the economic injustice among the people created division, tension, and burnout. The work slowed because hearts were burdened, not just by bricks and mortar, but by debt, fear, and frustration.
Nehemiah responded not only with spiritual leadership but with practical reform. He called out the injustice, challenged the wealthy to stop charging interest, and urged the community to forgive debts and restore what had been taken. His leadership reminds us that financial systems matter in the Kingdom of God—not only because they reflect God's justice, but because they can either empower or hinder His people from doing His work.
Today, we face similar realities. Churches pause mission initiatives for lack of funds. Ministries shrink or stall because the budget doesn't stretch. Pastors and leaders burn out under financial strain. God can and does work miracles, but He also calls His people to generosity, stewardship, and mutual care. The early church in Acts modeled this by sharing their resources so that no one among them was in need—and as a result, the gospel spread with power.
If we want to see Kingdom work advance with strength and sustainability, we must take seriously the call to resource it well. That means not only giving faithfully, but building systems of financial justice and generosity within the body of Christ. Just as Nehemiah called the people to unity and sacrificial reform, so must we, so that the work God has called us to can move forward without unnecessary delay.
A Summary of the Israelites Money Crunch
There were three key factors that contributed to the financial crisis the Israelites faced in Nehemiah 5. The first was a severe famine that struck the land:
“Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. For there were those who said, ‘With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive.’ There were also those who said, ‘We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.’” — Nehemiah 5:1–3
This famine—completely outside their control—created widespread food insecurity and economic desperation. In order to survive, families were forced to mortgage their property simply to buy grain. This environmental crisis became a significant burden and distracted the people from their God-given mission of rebuilding the wall.
The second contributing factor was the heavy taxation imposed by the Medo-Persian empire:
“And there were those who said, ‘We have borrowed money for the king's tax on our fields and our vineyards. Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.’” — Nehemiah 5:4–5
Though the Israelites were back in their land, they were still under foreign rule and subject to its economic demands. In order to pay the king's tax, families went deeper into debt, some even selling their children into slavery. This imperial pressure compounded the burden and further diverted focus from the work God had called them to do.
The third and most tragic cause of the money crunch came from within. Wealthier Israelites were taking advantage of their struggling brothers and sisters by charging interest on loans and even enslaving them to recoup debts:
“I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, ‘You are exacting interest, each from his brother.’”— Nehemiah 5:6–7
This was not merely economic exploitation—it was a direct violation of God’s Law. Scripture had clearly commanded God’s people not to charge interest to fellow Israelites:
“You shall not charge interest on loans to your brother, interest on money, interest on food, interest on anything that is lent for interest. You may charge a foreigner interest, but you may not charge your brother interest, that the Lord your God may bless you in all that you undertake…” — Deuteronomy 23:19–20
“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you.”— Leviticus 25:35–37
These internal injustices grieved Nehemiah deeply. He wasn’t outraged by the famine or the foreign taxation—those were external forces beyond their control. What stirred his righteous anger was the rebellion within God’s people. The sin that provoked his response was not what the world or weather had done—it was what the people of God were doing to one another.
This is a powerful reminder for us today. Of the three problems the Israelites faced, only one was within their control. They couldn’t stop the famine. They couldn’t repeal the king’s tax. But they could obey God's command not to exploit one another. And yet that was precisely where they failed.
Too often, the modern church flips this upside down. We are quick to rage against the world and slow to grieve over our own disobedience. We lament cultural decline, economic injustice, or political corruption—but where is the brokenness over our own compromises, our greed, our apathy toward God’s Word?
The truth is, judgment begins with the household of God (1 Peter 4:17). Before we point fingers at the world, we must examine ourselves. The church must recover a holy dissatisfaction with her own sin, rather than a smug condemnation of others'. If we want to see revival in our cities, it must begin with repentance in our congregations.
Summary of Our Money Crunch
Kingdom work is hindered in our generation due to a money crunch. But what has caused this financial pressure? What are the factors behind it?
First, our currency has been debased. Every time the government prints money without any real backing, inflation increases. As the supply of money grows without a corresponding increase in goods and services, the value of the dollar drops while the cost of living rises. But this debasement isn’t just happening through printing—it’s also happening through fractional reserve banking. In this system, banks are allowed to keep only a fraction of their deposits on hand while loaning out the rest, effectively creating money out of thin air. This multiplies the money supply far beyond actual reserves, flooding the economy with debt-based currency. The result is that the average person’s purchasing power shrinks, making it harder to meet basic needs—let alone give generously to Kingdom work. Inflation acts like a hidden tax, and it disproportionately affects the poor and middle class.
Second, we are taxed excessively. Americans today face a long list of taxes: federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security tax, sales tax, property tax, city tax—and the list continues. In many cases, when you total it all up, individuals are surrendering close to 50% of their income to various government entities. This is an incredible burden on working families and limits the ability of Christians to invest in ministry, missions, and mercy. It echoes the burden the Israelites faced under foreign rule, where a heavy tax on their vineyards and fields contributed to their enslavement.
Third, consumer debt has consumed our culture. Our society is obsessed with acquiring possessions, and many are willing to go deep into debt to get them. Unlike the Israelites in Nehemiah 5, who mortgaged their fields and homes just to buy grain to survive, today we mortgage our lives for luxuries. Americans now spend an average of $1,500 per month just on interest payments. That’s not paying off debt—that’s just servicing it. The church is often no different. We’ve borrowed for pleasure rather than necessity, and the result is a lifestyle of financial slavery. That debt then becomes the reason we don’t give. Kingdom work slows—not because we couldn’t give—but because we chose a new truck, a nicer vacation, or more stuff instead. This is a tragic misalignment of priorities.
It’s crucial to recognize that of these three factors, only one is within our control. We can’t stop inflation or end excessive taxation. But we can refuse to go into debt. Scripture is clear: “The borrower is the slave of the lender” (Proverbs 22:7). Many Christians today are enslaved not by foreign powers, but by Visa, MasterCard, and car notes. And here's the truly sobering part: those we are indebted to are often non-Christians. That means money that could have gone to further the Kingdom of God is instead funding the expansion of the kingdom of darkness. We are, often unknowingly, supporting Satan’s work with resources God has entrusted to us.
This is a direct violation of God’s Word. In Deuteronomy 28:43–44, the Lord warns that if His people rebel, they will become debtors to foreigners:
“The sojourner who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. He shall lend to you, and you shall not lend to him. He shall be the head, and you shall be the tail.”
This is not financial freedom. It’s judgment. And the worst part is—we’re willingly participating in it. No one is forcing us to take out that loan or swipe that card. We’re choosing it.
Perhaps we’re simply unaware of the spiritual battlefield we’re on. One of Satan’s most effective strategies is keeping believers so financially burdened that they spend their energy trying to survive rather than advance the Kingdom. Instead of thinking about how to bless others, we’re consumed with how to pay the next bill. As Hosea says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” We don’t know what we don’t know.
Just look at the giving trends in the church. Most Christians don’t tithe. Many don’t give anything at all. What conclusion can we draw from this? Either we are among the greediest people alive, obsessed with building our own little kingdoms, or we’ve strapped ourselves with so much debt and financial pressure that we no longer have the margin to give. Either way, Kingdom work suffers.
So what then should we do?
Take Action
So what must we do? We need to take action. In Nehemiah 5, Nehemiah provides a powerful model for us to follow. First, he led by example. Though entitled to a high salary as governor, he refused it because his people were suffering. He chose sacrifice over self-interest. Second, he did not shy away from naming sin. He boldly confronted the people about their wrongdoing and called them to repentance. Third, he demanded that they make things right—not just spiritually, but tangibly. He told them to restore what they had taken: to return properties and forgive debts. Fourth, Nehemiah led them to make a public oath before the priests, holding one another accountable in the presence of God.
The takeaway for us is clear: like Nehemiah, we must lead by example and take concrete steps to get out of the money crunch. The path forward is through repentance, restoration, and commitment. Jesus has already delivered us from spiritual bondage; His desire is that we not be enslaved again—especially to financial masters. It’s time to take action. Let’s follow Nehemiah’s lead and walk in the freedom and generosity God intends for His people.
Introduction
A lack of money always slows down Kingdom work. We see this clearly in Nehemiah chapter 5, where the Israelites experienced a severe financial crisis. As they labored to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem—a task God had called them to—the weight of economic hardship began to take its toll. Families were mortgaging their fields, vineyards, and homes just to buy grain. Some were borrowing money at high interest rates to pay taxes, and others were even forced to sell their children into slavery to survive. This financial strain had a devastating impact on their ability to focus on the mission. Instead of devoting themselves fully to the work of restoration and obedience to God’s calling, their energy and attention were consumed by the urgent need to provide for their families.
Kingdom work requires more than just passion and purpose—it requires provision. When resources are scarce, even the most committed workers can become distracted or discouraged. This doesn't mean that God is dependent on our money, but rather that the people He chooses to use are often limited by material needs. In Nehemiah's day, the economic injustice among the people created division, tension, and burnout. The work slowed because hearts were burdened, not just by bricks and mortar, but by debt, fear, and frustration.
Nehemiah responded not only with spiritual leadership but with practical reform. He called out the injustice, challenged the wealthy to stop charging interest, and urged the community to forgive debts and restore what had been taken. His leadership reminds us that financial systems matter in the Kingdom of God—not only because they reflect God's justice, but because they can either empower or hinder His people from doing His work.
Today, we face similar realities. Churches pause mission initiatives for lack of funds. Ministries shrink or stall because the budget doesn't stretch. Pastors and leaders burn out under financial strain. God can and does work miracles, but He also calls His people to generosity, stewardship, and mutual care. The early church in Acts modeled this by sharing their resources so that no one among them was in need—and as a result, the gospel spread with power.
If we want to see Kingdom work advance with strength and sustainability, we must take seriously the call to resource it well. That means not only giving faithfully, but building systems of financial justice and generosity within the body of Christ. Just as Nehemiah called the people to unity and sacrificial reform, so must we, so that the work God has called us to can move forward without unnecessary delay.
A Summary of the Israelites Money Crunch
There were three key factors that contributed to the financial crisis the Israelites faced in Nehemiah 5. The first was a severe famine that struck the land:
“Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. For there were those who said, ‘With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive.’ There were also those who said, ‘We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.’” — Nehemiah 5:1–3
This famine—completely outside their control—created widespread food insecurity and economic desperation. In order to survive, families were forced to mortgage their property simply to buy grain. This environmental crisis became a significant burden and distracted the people from their God-given mission of rebuilding the wall.
The second contributing factor was the heavy taxation imposed by the Medo-Persian empire:
“And there were those who said, ‘We have borrowed money for the king's tax on our fields and our vineyards. Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.’” — Nehemiah 5:4–5
Though the Israelites were back in their land, they were still under foreign rule and subject to its economic demands. In order to pay the king's tax, families went deeper into debt, some even selling their children into slavery. This imperial pressure compounded the burden and further diverted focus from the work God had called them to do.
The third and most tragic cause of the money crunch came from within. Wealthier Israelites were taking advantage of their struggling brothers and sisters by charging interest on loans and even enslaving them to recoup debts:
“I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, ‘You are exacting interest, each from his brother.’”— Nehemiah 5:6–7
This was not merely economic exploitation—it was a direct violation of God’s Law. Scripture had clearly commanded God’s people not to charge interest to fellow Israelites:
“You shall not charge interest on loans to your brother, interest on money, interest on food, interest on anything that is lent for interest. You may charge a foreigner interest, but you may not charge your brother interest, that the Lord your God may bless you in all that you undertake…” — Deuteronomy 23:19–20
“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you.”— Leviticus 25:35–37
These internal injustices grieved Nehemiah deeply. He wasn’t outraged by the famine or the foreign taxation—those were external forces beyond their control. What stirred his righteous anger was the rebellion within God’s people. The sin that provoked his response was not what the world or weather had done—it was what the people of God were doing to one another.
This is a powerful reminder for us today. Of the three problems the Israelites faced, only one was within their control. They couldn’t stop the famine. They couldn’t repeal the king’s tax. But they could obey God's command not to exploit one another. And yet that was precisely where they failed.
Too often, the modern church flips this upside down. We are quick to rage against the world and slow to grieve over our own disobedience. We lament cultural decline, economic injustice, or political corruption—but where is the brokenness over our own compromises, our greed, our apathy toward God’s Word?
The truth is, judgment begins with the household of God (1 Peter 4:17). Before we point fingers at the world, we must examine ourselves. The church must recover a holy dissatisfaction with her own sin, rather than a smug condemnation of others'. If we want to see revival in our cities, it must begin with repentance in our congregations.
Summary of Our Money Crunch
Kingdom work is hindered in our generation due to a money crunch. But what has caused this financial pressure? What are the factors behind it?
First, our currency has been debased. Every time the government prints money without any real backing, inflation increases. As the supply of money grows without a corresponding increase in goods and services, the value of the dollar drops while the cost of living rises. But this debasement isn’t just happening through printing—it’s also happening through fractional reserve banking. In this system, banks are allowed to keep only a fraction of their deposits on hand while loaning out the rest, effectively creating money out of thin air. This multiplies the money supply far beyond actual reserves, flooding the economy with debt-based currency. The result is that the average person’s purchasing power shrinks, making it harder to meet basic needs—let alone give generously to Kingdom work. Inflation acts like a hidden tax, and it disproportionately affects the poor and middle class.
Second, we are taxed excessively. Americans today face a long list of taxes: federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security tax, sales tax, property tax, city tax—and the list continues. In many cases, when you total it all up, individuals are surrendering close to 50% of their income to various government entities. This is an incredible burden on working families and limits the ability of Christians to invest in ministry, missions, and mercy. It echoes the burden the Israelites faced under foreign rule, where a heavy tax on their vineyards and fields contributed to their enslavement.
Third, consumer debt has consumed our culture. Our society is obsessed with acquiring possessions, and many are willing to go deep into debt to get them. Unlike the Israelites in Nehemiah 5, who mortgaged their fields and homes just to buy grain to survive, today we mortgage our lives for luxuries. Americans now spend an average of $1,500 per month just on interest payments. That’s not paying off debt—that’s just servicing it. The church is often no different. We’ve borrowed for pleasure rather than necessity, and the result is a lifestyle of financial slavery. That debt then becomes the reason we don’t give. Kingdom work slows—not because we couldn’t give—but because we chose a new truck, a nicer vacation, or more stuff instead. This is a tragic misalignment of priorities.
It’s crucial to recognize that of these three factors, only one is within our control. We can’t stop inflation or end excessive taxation. But we can refuse to go into debt. Scripture is clear: “The borrower is the slave of the lender” (Proverbs 22:7). Many Christians today are enslaved not by foreign powers, but by Visa, MasterCard, and car notes. And here's the truly sobering part: those we are indebted to are often non-Christians. That means money that could have gone to further the Kingdom of God is instead funding the expansion of the kingdom of darkness. We are, often unknowingly, supporting Satan’s work with resources God has entrusted to us.
This is a direct violation of God’s Word. In Deuteronomy 28:43–44, the Lord warns that if His people rebel, they will become debtors to foreigners:
“The sojourner who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. He shall lend to you, and you shall not lend to him. He shall be the head, and you shall be the tail.”
This is not financial freedom. It’s judgment. And the worst part is—we’re willingly participating in it. No one is forcing us to take out that loan or swipe that card. We’re choosing it.
Perhaps we’re simply unaware of the spiritual battlefield we’re on. One of Satan’s most effective strategies is keeping believers so financially burdened that they spend their energy trying to survive rather than advance the Kingdom. Instead of thinking about how to bless others, we’re consumed with how to pay the next bill. As Hosea says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” We don’t know what we don’t know.
Just look at the giving trends in the church. Most Christians don’t tithe. Many don’t give anything at all. What conclusion can we draw from this? Either we are among the greediest people alive, obsessed with building our own little kingdoms, or we’ve strapped ourselves with so much debt and financial pressure that we no longer have the margin to give. Either way, Kingdom work suffers.
So what then should we do?
Take Action
So what must we do? We need to take action. In Nehemiah 5, Nehemiah provides a powerful model for us to follow. First, he led by example. Though entitled to a high salary as governor, he refused it because his people were suffering. He chose sacrifice over self-interest. Second, he did not shy away from naming sin. He boldly confronted the people about their wrongdoing and called them to repentance. Third, he demanded that they make things right—not just spiritually, but tangibly. He told them to restore what they had taken: to return properties and forgive debts. Fourth, Nehemiah led them to make a public oath before the priests, holding one another accountable in the presence of God.
The takeaway for us is clear: like Nehemiah, we must lead by example and take concrete steps to get out of the money crunch. The path forward is through repentance, restoration, and commitment. Jesus has already delivered us from spiritual bondage; His desire is that we not be enslaved again—especially to financial masters. It’s time to take action. Let’s follow Nehemiah’s lead and walk in the freedom and generosity God intends for His people.
Recent
Archive
2025
2023
No Comments