Apparently, there were those who had mortgaged their land and borrowed money to buy food, and to pay the king's tribute. The Jews were charging interest to their own brethren and causing further hardship on them to the point where they were having to sell their own daughters and sons into bondage to pay their debts. Nehemiah rebuked them saying, "It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?"
Nehemiah's rebuke is applicable to us today. There are many who are looking to point the finger of accusation toward those who claim the name of Christian. They are looking for excuses to reproach the name of Christ. Many will say they don't want to come to church or associate with Christians because there are hypocrites in the church. They see Christians doing things that are not becoming of a Christian and do not reflect Christ.
A case in point was my father in law. He was a Longshoreman. Many times boxes would break open on the docks. Many of the Longshoremen would take this as an opportunity to help themselves to merchandise that was not rightfully theirs to take. He watched one holiday season as some Longshoremen who were church going men stole Christmas lights for their church. He told us he was as good as those church going men, and if they are going to make it into heaven then surly he would too. Clearly these men were not walking in the fear of God and they brought reproach to the name of Christ.
It is so important for us as Christians to be walking in the fear of our God, knowing that He sees what we are doing and evaluating whether our actions will bring honor or reproach to His name in the eyes of those who are not Christ-followers. Not only this, but how will our actions affect other Christians who watch us? Will it lead them astray or will our actions encourage them to also walk in the fear of our God?
This is a New Year. A time for new beginnings. Let's make it a year of walking in the fear of our God.
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