Nehemiah 5-6

"Should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?" (5:9). God had graciously restored the Jews to their homeland. During a famine, the wealthier families had taken advantage of their neighbors, forcing them to mortgage their homes and fields as payment for grain, and even enslaving their children. The nations were watching these returned exiles: would they obey God? Nehemiah urged them to walk in a manner worthy of their calling (Eph 4:1).

The unselfish generosity of God should move us to treat our brothers and sisters in the same way.