Fussin' and feudin' - an example

Ripples in a pond . . .
A good example can spread and cause all kinds of good things to happen, no?
Nehemiah thought so.
We've been talking about the hesitation that we feel when we are required to confront someone in sin. Part of that hesitation is the fear that that someone will point his finger right back at us.
Nodding your head with me?
Many believers are stopped in their tracks by this. We are fearful that as we speak to the sinner, that person will expose areas in our lives where sin has taken up residence.
So we fall back on the old "judge not, lest you be judged," mentality.
We walk away.
We let things go.
How can we resolve this?

Nehemiah knew that he must set an example of personal godliness. Leaders (and followers, too, for that matter) need to be above reproach. They need to be examples to the flock.
(Here is Peter's take on that issue.)

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. (I Peter 5:2-3)

Nehemiah says in verse eight that he had spent his own money to redeem fellow Jews from slavery. And he had loaned money (verse ten) to them without charging interest. At some point in this story, Nehemiah had been appointed governor of the region, and in the following verses, he lists his own example over a period of twelve years. I don't think he did this to "toot his own horn" or to boast or be prideful. I think he wanted to be an example for others. And I totally think that he can be an example for us today - even if we don't currently find ourselves in leadership roles!

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.17 Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations. 18 Each day one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine of all kinds. In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people.19 Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people. (Nehemiah 5:14-19)

There's a lot here . . . as the news pundits say, let's unpack it.
First, Nehemiah didn't take advantage of his position. His predecessors had demanded a food allowance by taxing the people and then sending minions out to collect (by force, if need be). As governor, Nehemiah had the right to require that. After all, he had quite a few mouths to feed. Did you notice that? He had one hundred and fifty Jewish officials at his table daily, and that was in addition to those who came in from the surrounding nations. I'm guessing that would be like needing to entertain emissaries and diplomats! To feed this whole crew required an ox, six sheep, some poultry, and probably a good bit of wine and other incidentals. But Nehemiah seems to have paid for these needs out of his own pocket.
To apply this to our lives today, as believers we need to avoid the trap of thinking that we have certain rights and things that we "deserve." We need to follow Jesus' example, as He laid aside His power and His rights and became a servant - obedient even unto death.

Next, Nehemiah gives us two personal reasons why he didn't follow in the footsteps of his predecessors. Why did he lay aside his rights? In verse fifteen he says that he feared God; he knew that he was a servant and must answer to God one day. To Nehemiah, and for us today, fearing God means that we don't just do things the way other people do. We follow God's guidance for our lives. In verse eighteen, Nehemiah says he didn't take advantage of his rights because he was concerned for his people. As heirs with Jesus today, we must care about hurting people. To add anything to the burden of those who are already suffering would be unloving.

Nehemiah was also an awesome example for us of generosity. It cost him a great deal, I bet, to feed all those people out of his own pocket, but he was willing to do it so that he didn't add to the burden of the already-burdened down people.

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (I John 3:17-18)

Nehemiah also said that he applied himself diligently to the work on the wall. He says that neither he nor his servants bought any land. I think this points to the fact that he didn't want to get entangled in everyday affairs; there would have been need for maintaining the land, for farming, for vineyard-tending, for many other activities and responsibilities. I believe this is an example for us - Nehemiah stayed focused on the work of God, as should we.

I believe, too, that Nehemiah was not anxious for the approval of men. I think he was working for God's approval. Check out the last verse of chapter five . . . even if very few of the Jews ever thanked him; even if he didn't receive honor or applause; Nehemiah was much more eager to receive God's approval. As believers, that is one strategy that we can wholeheartedly emulate!

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, (Colossians 3:23)

Next time we study, we will see that when confronted with their sin and the example of Nehemiah, the loan sharks agreed to give back the money and do all that Nehemiah asked. We'll see if he gives them a high-five or a pat on the back . . . or something else.