Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 5; Nehemiah 6; Psalm 146; Luke 24
Scripture: Nehemiah 5:14-16
14 Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. 15 But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. 16 Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.
Observation: Nehemiah is a man of high character. He does not use his position to enrich himself at the expense of the people but voluntarily cuts his own benefits to help his people. His actions are contrasted by previous governors who gave themselves pay raises and oppressed the people with taxes to pay for it. Nehemiah also does not remain idle. No, he rolls up his sleeves and participates in the work that he is asking others to do. He is a man above reproach, conducting himself with humility and integrity.
Application: I value these things in leadership. I have always made it my goal to be a servant leader -- to take the example of leaders such as Nehemiah and Jesus Himself and be one who is willing to do any task, no matter how menial. I believe it is honorable to remain humble and approachable and it is something I strive to implement in my life. Like Nehemiah, I see others in spiritual leadership who do not seem to identify themselves as servants but seem to conduct themselves more as lords over the people they lead. I am not called to judge the leadership styles of others but I do believe that Jesus wants His leaders to be humble and approachable servant leaders whose lives are an offering to benefit those whom they lead.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be used of You to bless others. Help me to represent You well in my manner of leadership and my effectiveness.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
2 comments:
Leadership and humility seem to be mutally exclusive today. It's a tough thing to pull off, but I agree, that it gives the best example for those who will want to join you, both as fellow workers, and as leaders. Lord bless us with these qualities.
Amen!
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