Feed Your Soul - Nehemiah 10

Matthew Henry’s Commentary says it all about Nehemiah 10;

When every one helps, and every one gives, though but little, toward a good work, the whole will come to be a large sum. We must do what we can in works of piety and charity; and whatever state we are placed in, cheerfully perform our duty to God, which will be the surest way to ease and liberty. As the ordinances of God are the appointed means of support to our souls, the believer will not grudge the expense; yet most people leave their souls to starve.

“yet most people leave their souls to starve.”

We pray at ANC to be generous….as a church we have set the tone for those who have been around even a little while. We don’t give crazily…we are good stewards to what God entrusts to ….but we give liberally.

As a recovering materialist, I have to admit, I am selfish. An area in my life I had to give God, is our finances…and to bring Him first fruit. Tithing isn’t as much about the money as it is…..OUR SOULS. Yet so many folks never feed their soul through this ordinance, this act of obedience and worship.

One of the coolest things about bringing ‘first fruit’ is you come to recognize that fruit as NOT YOURS. You learn to do without it. You manage your life around what’s left.

This is indicting…but oh well….I caught a little bit of Dr. Phil the other day (the whole show)…..and he had on one of these crazy families that were supporting their kids well into there 20’s. The kids had no responsibilities or jobs…and mom and dad were footing the bill. Mom and dad were in debt over $100,000 while the kids were driving around in cars, talking on cell phones and partying with friends.

They had to teach these 20 somethings that, if you don’t earn, you don’t need a car or a cell phone…you cant afford it. It’s a basic principle….but we fall victim to the same line of thinking. This is why people run up so much debt. They buy stuff they don’t need and can’t afford.

The last thing they showed them was a piggy bank. It wasn’t a normal piggy bank, it was divided into 4 sections. There are 4 things we can do with our money. Spend, Save, Invest and Donate. Most of us, and I’ll admit we don’t plan as well as we should….we just spend. We say we try to save…but this all takes planning and living within the money we make. We would also like to donate….it sounds good….but again takes planning, and a change in our hearts and minds.

Like these folks in Jerusalem, they all gave their portion…a relatively small amount…but when combined with others….the whole will become a large sum. At ANC, we celebrate the things we are doing in the community and the world, we bless people, we take care of needs, we do larger things as a whole…than any of us could do individually…..and that feeds our souls.