Nehemiah 5:7, 10-11 Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, everyone of his brother….I pray you, let us leave off this usury. Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses.
Nehemiah told the rich Jews to stop charging interest on their loans to their brothers and sisters who were in need. God never intended people to profit from the misfortunes of others. Caring for one another is more important than personal gain.
We should help God’s people who are in need, not exploit them. The early church believers in Jerusalem worked together to eliminate poverty in their church. Proverbs 28:27 says: “Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing.”
The NT believer responds to God’s generous gifts and blessings by sharing them with others in mercy. So we willingly give both material and spiritual blessings to others. And when God finds a generous giver, He will give him more so that he can give more to those who lack. Voluntary, cheerful giving is God’s way and God’s will.