Mission Focused (Nehemiah 5)

Have you ever been part of a team where everything seemed to be moving forward, but something inside the group began to tear it apart? You might be completely focused on a project, but all of a sudden, internal conflicts and selfish actions start to get in the way. Sometimes it’s not the outside pressures that threaten the success of the group—it’s the way people within are treating each other.

In Nehemiah 5, we find the people of God facing a similar situation. They were working on an incredible mission, something that was meant to bring glory to God, but selfishness crept in, making the work much harder than it had to be. Today, we’re going to look at how these internal struggles not only slowed the mission but also threatened to derail it entirely—and what Nehemiah did to address it. More importantly, we’ll see how this passage teaches us to confront these same kinds of issues within our own community, helping us stay united and focused on God’s mission.

I. The Danger of Selfishness in God's Work (Nehemiah 5:1-5)

Nehemiah 5:1–5 (ESV) — 1 Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. 2 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.” 3 There were also those who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.” 4 And there were those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards. 5 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.”

As we begin in Nehemiah 5, it’s clear that the work on the wall is progressing, but something is threatening to derail the entire mission. It’s not an external enemy this time; it’s not the neighboring nations that are the problem. The threat is coming from within the community itself. The people raise a heartfelt outcry to Nehemiah—not about the usual challenges of rebuilding, but about an injustice happening among their own brethren. The poor are being oppressed by the wealthy, and it’s tearing the community apart.

What’s happening here? Some of the Israelites are being forced to mortgage their fields, vineyards, and homes just to buy grain and survive. Others are borrowing money to pay the king's taxes, and some are even selling their children into slavery to pay off their debts. The community is being crippled by selfishness. Instead of coming together to rebuild the wall and restore the city, some are taking advantage of the hardships of others for their own gain.

It’s a sobering reminder that selfishness can sneak into even the holiest of efforts. Here we have people working on a God-given mission—rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, restoring the city that God had called His people back to. But instead of working in unity, selfish ambition is tearing them apart. This isn't just about a few bad apples; it’s about the way selfishness always seeks to divide, to put personal interests above the greater good, and to exploit others in the process.

Now, let’s bring this home. How often do we get caught up in our own interests, even when we’re engaged in God’s work? How often does the pursuit of personal gain—or even personal comfort—blind us to the needs of those around us? Maybe we don’t see it as exploitation, but when we prioritize our own desires over helping a brother or sister who’s struggling, we’re essentially contributing to the burden they’re carrying.

This text challenges us to look inward and ask ourselves, “Am I contributing to someone else’s burden, knowingly or unknowingly?” It’s easy to assume that we’re innocent because we’re not actively doing something wrong. But the truth is, selfishness often creeps in through neglect—through a failure to see the pain and struggle of those around us because we’re so focused on ourselves.

In the end, selfishness doesn’t just harm the person being exploited; it weakens the entire community. Just as it threatened to derail the work on the wall, it threatens the work God is doing through us today. If we don’t address it, it becomes a weight that drags us down, making it harder for the mission to move forward. So let’s take this first lesson to heart: God’s work is never about personal gain. It’s about unity, justice, and selflessness. When we embrace that, we can ease the burdens of others and move forward together.

II. Confronting Injustice in the Church (Nehemiah 5:6-13)

Nehemiah 5:6–13 (ESV) — 6 I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. 7 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.” And I held a great assembly against them 8 and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say. 9 So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies? 10 Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. 11 Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.” 12 Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised. 13 I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said “Amen” and praised the Lord. And the people did as they had promised.

When Nehemiah hears about the exploitation among God’s people, he doesn’t stay silent. His anger is directed not at enemies from outside, but at his own community for mistreating one another. The very people who were supposed to be working together for a great purpose—rebuilding Jerusalem—were instead creating division through selfishness. Nehemiah knew that this injustice was undermining the mission God had given them.

Nehemiah acts swiftly. He calls out the nobles and officials for taking advantage of the poor, demanding that they stop charging interest and return what they had taken. Nehemiah understands that unity in God’s work depends on justice among His people. If the people are divided and mistreating one another, the work cannot move forward.

This teaches us something important about the church today. We’re called to build God’s kingdom, but we cannot do it if there is mistreatment, selfishness, or neglect within our community. We aren’t called to solve all the world’s injustices, but we are responsible for ensuring fairness and love among God’s people. When we see a brother or sister in need, or someone being mistreated in the church, we cannot remain silent.

James warns against showing favoritism in the Christian community. He writes about how some people were giving preferential treatment to the wealthy while neglecting or dishonoring the poor. Like Nehemiah, James is concerned about how believers treat one another, emphasizing that such favoritism undermines the unity and mission of the church.

In James 2:8-9, he says, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”

This passage highlights how injustices and favoritism among believers directly contradict the core Christian ethic of love. Just as Nehemiah confronted exploitation in his community, James urges the church to treat all members with fairness and love, showing no partiality based on wealth or status

Here’s the key question: When I see injustice or neglect in the church, do I speak up, or do I stay quiet because it’s easier? We need the courage to address these issues, not to create conflict but to preserve the unity and integrity of the body. Nehemiah knew that for God’s mission to succeed, the people had to treat each other justly—and the same is true for us today.

III. Leadership by Example: Sacrificial Service (Nehemiah 5:14-18)

Nehemiah 5:14–19 (ESV) — 14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. 15 The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God. 16 I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. 17 Moreover, there were at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. 18 Now what was prepared at my expense for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people.

As we continue in Nehemiah 5, we see something remarkable about Nehemiah’s leadership. He wasn’t just calling out the nobles and officials for their selfishness—he was living out the very example of sacrificial service. Nehemiah had every right to take the governor's allowance, to live comfortably off the people's taxes like previous governors did. But instead, he chose not to burden the people. He sacrificed personal gain for the sake of those he led.

Nehemiah shows us that true leadership is not about privilege or authority; it’s about serving others, even when it costs us something. He didn’t just demand justice from others; he embodied it in his own actions. This is the kind of leadership that God calls all of us to—whether we lead in the church, in our families, or in our workplaces. We are called to put others first, to ease their burdens, and to lead by example.

This is the heart of Christ-like leadership. Jesus Himself said, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Nehemiah’s example points forward to this greater truth: leadership in God’s kingdom is about selflessness, not self-interest.

So here’s the key question: In my leadership, am I serving others, or am I seeking to be served? This is a challenging question, but it’s one that cuts to the heart of what it means to follow Christ. Just as Nehemiah set aside his own rights for the sake of the people, we too are called to lead in a way that reflects sacrificial love.

IV. Easing the Load to Fulfill God's Mission (Nehemiah 5:19)

Nehemiah 5:19 (ESV) — 19 Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.

Nehemiah concludes this chapter with a prayer, asking God to remember his efforts and the sacrifices he made for the people. But what stands out isn’t just his prayer—it’s the motivation behind it. Nehemiah wasn’t looking for recognition or reward from the people. He wasn’t concerned about gaining favor or accolades. His focus was on honoring God and ensuring that the people were able to continue the work they had started. He had one goal: to make sure God’s mission was accomplished.

Nehemiah understood that for God’s work to be completed, the burdens of the people had to be lightened, not increased. He saw the physical and financial burdens that were holding the people back, and he did everything in his power to remove those obstacles. Whether by sacrificing his own rights or confronting injustice, Nehemiah worked to ease the load for everyone so they could focus on the task at hand—rebuilding the wall.

The same is true for us today. When we engage in God’s work—whether it’s in the church, in our families, or in the community—we need to ask ourselves: Am I making it easier for others to do God’s work, or am I adding to their burden? We all have a role to play in helping others fulfill their part of God’s mission, and often that means stepping in to carry a load or sacrificing something of our own to make someone else’s path smoother. Here are a couple ways we can do this.

Serving in ministry roles: When people are overwhelmed with responsibilities in the church, offering to step in and take on some of the work can ease their burden. Whether it’s volunteering for a ministry, helping with logistics, or stepping into leadership, this kind of support allows others to focus on the mission without being burnt out.

Meeting material needs: Sometimes the obstacles people face are very practical—financial difficulties, health challenges, or family struggles. Helping someone with a meal, covering a bill, or giving them a ride can make a significant difference in their ability to stay focused on serving God.

Avoiding unnecessary conflict: In any community, there will be disagreements. But when we focus on trivial matters or let personal conflicts grow, it can become a distraction from the mission. Working to keep peace and unity—by forgiving, overlooking offenses, or working through differences in a godly way—helps the church stay focused on what matters most.

Bridging gaps: Sometimes we can be the person who brings people together rather than allowing division to fester. This might mean helping two people reconcile or fostering a more inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute to God’s work.

Offering encouragement: It’s easy for people to get discouraged when things get hard, whether in ministry or in their personal walk with God. Being a source of encouragement, regularly checking in, and reminding them of the bigger picture can help keep them motivated. Sometimes the best way to ease someone's burden is through a word of affirmation or simply reminding them they aren’t alone in the work.

Having Unity In Hard Times

This is where unity and love come into full effect. We’re not just called to build for God’s glory; we’re called to do it together, supporting one another along the way. If we are focused only on ourselves, we will miss opportunities to lighten the burdens of those around us—and in doing so, we will hinder the work God wants to accomplish through us as a community.

As Nehemiah shows us, the way we handle hardship—whether it’s personal or within the group—determines whether God will truly be honored in our efforts. If we can focus on easing each other’s burdens and working together, then God’s mission will flourish. But if we’re consumed with our own interests and add to the weight others are already carrying, we will only make the work harder for everyone involved.

So here’s the final key question: Am I making it easier for others to fulfill God’s mission, or am I creating unnecessary obstacles? In Nehemiah’s day, the people had to build the wall, but they couldn’t do it if they were weighed down by selfishness and exploitation. Today, we have our own walls to build—whether it’s in our relationships, our ministries, or our communities. Let’s make sure we’re lightening the load, so God’s work can continue unhindered.

Nehemiah’s prayer in verse 19 isn’t just a request for personal reward. It’s a reflection of his heart: a leader who was willing to sacrifice for the greater good and who understood that when the people are unified and supported, God's mission can move forward. As we go forward, let’s adopt the same mindset, asking God to remember our efforts as we work to lift each other up and carry out His mission together.

Conclusion

As we’ve seen today, the work God calls us to is too important to let selfishness and division hold us back. Just like in Nehemiah’s day, we’re part of something bigger than ourselves—a mission to build up God’s kingdom. But for that mission to succeed, we must confront the things that threaten to slow us down. It’s not always the external challenges that do the most damage. Often, it’s the internal conflicts, the selfish pursuits, and the failure to ease each other’s burdens that undermine our work.

Nehemiah knew this, and he stepped in to call out injustice among God’s people. He led by example, sacrificing his own rights for the sake of unity, and he showed us that leadership is about making it easier for others to serve God, not harder. The same principle applies to us today. Whether we’re leading, serving, or simply walking alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ, we must ask ourselves: are we contributing to God’s mission, or are we creating unnecessary obstacles?

If we want to honor God in our efforts—whether in our church, our families, or our personal lives—then we must prioritize unity, justice, and sacrificial love. Let’s be people who lighten the load for others, who seek out ways to lift the burdens of those around us. That’s how we build something lasting for God’s glory.