Sold Out!

Today’s Scripture Readings:

OT: Nehemiah 5
NT: Luke 5
W&W: Psalm 45


Today’s Reflection:

Nehemiah 5 describes how many of the people of God were under financial strain and some others were taking advantage of them. When Nehemiah heard of this, he made an interesting demand: “You are exacting usury from your own countrymen… As far as possible, we have bought back our Jewish brothers who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your brothers, only for them to be sold back to us… 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? I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let the exacting of usury stop! Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the usury you are charging them—the hundredth part of the money, grain, new wine and oil."

The “church” was buying back the people of God sold into slavery. That was good! The bad thing was that they often had to buy back those who were sold out by members of the “church.” The sad thing was that they were often being sold out over a difference in values of 1% – a miniscule amount! (Can you imagine paying 1% interest on a loan today? Wouldn't that be great!) And, all this was happening in front of the “un-churched,” causing reproach on the “church.”

Do we not do the same today? Do we not divide over minor differences? When we disagree, do we then sell out our brothers and their families – those whom Jesus died to redeem?

Also, do we – through judgmental legalism – sell out and discourage those who have started with Jesus? Do we do this when they do not make it up to our standards of understanding and behavior? And, by our attitudes are we consigning them to spiritual defeat?

Finally, do we sell out the watching world? Jesus died, paying the price for their redemption from slavery to sin. When the church divides and sells out, are we casing such reproach on Christ that they refuse to be saved?

Friends, let us not sell out our brothers and sisters over miniscule amounts. Let us not consign new believers to defeat by expecting them to be where we are. And finally, let’s not sell out the world through division in the body of Christ. After all, didn’t Jesus say, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”?


This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Isaiah 53.4-5: Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.