The Place of Fiscal Discipline and Fiscal Integrity in the Healing of the Nations 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The Biblical Nehemiah who served as governor in Jerusalem did not even collect his allowances and perks as governor. Rather, he supported the people of God and Jerusalem with his personal resources. He realized that state resources were small; the people were greatly impoverished having been in captivity for a while. So he did not even bother the people with extra taxes as some leaders do to raise income for their states and nations. Unfortunately, such monies are sometimes embezzled by corrupt officials thereby further impoverishing the state and the people. Beloved, Nehemiah is a good, godly and classic example of incorruptible leadership whose fiscal discipline and integrity contributed to the development of the people of Judah as well as the rehabilitation of Jerusalem.

Samuel was a great prophet in Israel feared and respected by all. On account of the power and authority conferred on him by God, he could have enriched himself at the expense of the people. Yet, he was content with whatever God blessed him with and at a point challenged the Israelites to speak up as to whether he collected anything from anyone. No one dared speak for Samuel had never received anything from anyone to enrich himself.

And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you. And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons [are] with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day. Behold, here I [am]: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received [any] bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand. And he said unto them, The LORD [is] witness against you, and his anointed [is] witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, [He is] witness. 1^st Samuel Chapter 12 verses 1 to 5.

The Place of Fiscal Discipline and Fiscal Integrity in the Healing of the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, [that is], twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. But the former governors that [had been] before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God. Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants [were] gathered thither unto the work. Moreover [there were] at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that [are] about us. Now [that] which was prepared [for me] daily [was] one ox [and] six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people. Think upon me, my God, for good, [according] to all that I have done for this people. Nehemiah Chapter 5 verses 14 to 19.

A nation, community and Church finances belong to God and should therefore be divinely deployed. They should be deployed for divine as well as national, community purposes that glorify God and increase the kingdom of God. Some people in the Bible disdained the holy offerings of God by partaking of what did not belong to them but to God. They were irreverent, had no respect for God and dared to consume holy offerings. Their actions were sacrilegious and led to judgment, in point of fact untimely death and generational judgment from God. Please read 1^st Samuel Chapter 2 verses 27 to 30, 8 verses 1 to 4, Joshua Chapter 6 verses 17 to 18, 7 verse 1, 20 to 21, Malachi Chapter 3 verses 7 to 12 for greater insight.

The finances of nations and communities are also divinely designed to benefit the nationals of the nations and communities. They are not meant to be squandered in riotous living or stolen by the leaders of the people. It is a sin to deploy national or community resources for personal benefits of aggrandizement. Achan attempted to secretly steal what was divinely ordained for God and the nation of Israel. He became a stumbling block to the nation and unfortunately died young as the penalty for his transgression was death. Pathetically, he did not die alone.

Peter’s Vision

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Acts Chapter 10 verse 28.

Peter’s vision is instructive of how rigidity to certain belief systems can limit a person’s scope in about every area of life. As far as Peter was concerned, he had no business with unclean meat. But God had other plans for Peter, greater than his finite understanding of unclean meat and how unclean meat can be cleansed by God, and the ever cleansing and sanctifying blood of Jesus Christ.

Peter’s vision helped to expand Peter’s horizon of ministry which was hitherto exclusive and limited to a certain race. Peter did not realize that ministry for him as well as the other apostles was for all of humanity. But for the timely vision, Peter would not have accompanied the people Cornelius sent to him to meet with Cornelius and his household. The visit to Cornelius coupled with the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Cornelius and members of his household stretched the scope of ministry for Peter. Additionally, Peter dropped his exclusionary practices to allow for inclusion of all people into the kingdom of God.

There are lessons worth learning from Peter’s vision. God’s love and salvation is for everybody irrespective of race and socio-economic backgrounds. It is not for specific families, communities, ethnic groups, race or nations. Therefore, stretch your borders beyond where you are now – extend the borders to accommodate God’s inclusion of other ethnic nationalities; expansion beyond your immediate environs and understanding. Discard orientation, belief systems and relationships which limit, resist inclusion and inclusionary practices which will bring about the expansion God is bringing your way.