"Nehemiah showed them that he himself, being invested with authority from the Persian king, might have demanded large contributions for his personal benefit. But instead of this he had not taken even that which justly belonged to him, but had given liberally to relieve the poor in their need. He urged those among the Jewish rulers who had been guilty of extortion, to cease this iniquitous work; to restore the lands of the poor, and also the increase of money which they had exacted from them; and to lend to them without security or usury. PK 650.1"
"If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury."
EGW's passage reflects the principle of lending to the poor without usury, as stated in Exodus 22:25. Nehemiah's urging to lend without security or usury aligns directly with this biblical principle.
"Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee. Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase."
The EGW passage directly addresses the issue of usury and lending to the poor, echoing the principle outlined in Leviticus 25:36-37. The connection is more than just thematic; it's a direct application of the biblical principle.
"If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth."
Similar to the previous pair, the EGW passage reflects the principle of lending to the poor and not hardening one's heart, as described in Deuteronomy 15:7-8. Nehemiah's actions exemplify this principle.
"These words were spoken in the presence of the whole congregation. Had the rulers chosen to justify themselves, they had opportunity to do so. But they offered no excuse. “We will restore them,” they declared, “and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest.” At this, Nehemiah in the presence of the priests “took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.” “And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the Lord. And the people did according to this promise.” PK 650.2"
"Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise."
This is a direct retelling of the events in Nehemiah 5:12. The EGW passage quotes and paraphrases the verse, making it an explicit allusion.
"This record teaches an important lesson. “The love of money is the root of all evil.” 1 Timothy 6:10 . In this generation the desire for gain is the absorbing passion. Wealth is often obtained by fraud. There are multitudes struggling with poverty, compelled to labor hard for small wages, unable to secure even the barest necessities of life. Toil and deprivation, with no hope of better things, make their burden heavy. Careworn and oppressed, they know not where to turn for relief. And all this that the rich may support their extravagance or indulge their desire to hoard! PK 650.3"
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
Ellen White directly references 1 Timothy 6:10 in this passage.