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More Nehemiah commentaries
Nehemiah 2:1-8
Nehemiah was fearful of what others may think
Nehemiah 2:9-20
Nehemiah determines to rebuild the wall
Nehemiah 3:1-14
Delegation of the work load
Nehemiah 3:15-32
Helping everyone to feel a part of the objective
Nehemiah 4:1-6
Ridicule and Criticism comes to Nehemiah
Nehemiah 4:7-14
Nehemiah reminds the people of their calling
Nehemiah 4:15-23
Nehemiah sets up a communication system
Nehemiah 5:1-13
Nehemiah deals with oppression
Nehemiah 5:14-19
The Generosity of Nehemiah
Nehemiah 6:1-9
Conspiracy Against Nehemiah
Nehemiah 6:10-19
The Wall Completed
Nehemiah 7:1-38
The Captives Who Returned to Jerusalem
Nehemiah 7:39-73
The Living Link Between the Past and the Future
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The Generosity of Nehemiah
Nehemiah 5:14–19
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
Rick Warren notes the mark of spiritual maturity occurs when a believer “takes off the bib and puts on an apron.” Immature children wear bibs and expect others to meet their needs. Those who wear aprons have learned the joy of serving others. Which attire are you wearin … More
Nehemiah ruled as governor for twelve years in Jerusalem. During this time he did not take advantage of his position (v. 14). The governors who had ruled before him had heavily taxed the people (v. 15). He was more interested in serving the people than he was in fulfilling a vocation. In fact, he continued working right beside the people (v. 16). He did not hesitate to get his hands dirty in this important building project. Nehemiah regularly fed one hundred fifty Jews and rulers as well as other people who came to visit Jerusalem. He not only paid for his own food, but he shared what he had with others (vv 17-18). It is refreshing in our day of public scandals to meet a man like Nehemiah who put serving the people ahead of getting gain for himself. He did not use the people to build a kingdom for himself but used his privileges for helping the people.
As a man of prayer, Nehemiah was in touch with God. He prayed that God would remember him because of his concern for the people (v. 19). He didn’t want praise or reward from the people but wanted only the reward God would give him for his faithful service.
As spiritual leaders we can learn the following from this chapter:
Application
Nehemiah’s life could be summed up in his desire to serve the Lord and other people. God will bless me when my priorities are the Lord and others before myself.
Nehemiah 5:14-19 (English Standard Version)
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. 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. I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. Moreover, there were at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. 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. Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
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