Nehemiah's Example

Nehemiah 5:6-7, 14-19 (NLT)

6 When I heard their complaints, I was very angry. 7 After thinking it over, I spoke out against these nobles and officials. I told them, “You are hurting your own relatives by charging interest when they borrow money!” Then I called a public meeting to deal with the problem.

14 For the entire twelve years that I was governor of Judah—from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes—neither I nor my officials drew on our official food allowance. 15 The former governors, in contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way.

16 I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall. 17 I asked for nothing, even though I regularly fed 150 Jewish officials at my table, besides all the visitors from other lands! 18 The provisions I paid for each day included one ox, six choice sheep or goats, and a large number of poultry. And every ten days we needed a large supply of all kinds of wine. Yet I refused to claim the governor’s food allowance because the people already carried a heavy burden.

19 Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people, and bless me for it.

Again in Chapter 5, Nehemiah stands out as a strong leader. When he heard some of the nobles and officials were charging their relatives high interest and making it hard for them to get by financially, Nehemiah met with the lenders instructing them to repay what they had charged in interest. The lenders were quick to agree and make restoration. Nehemiah also modeled being a servant leader in the way he handled his own affairs. He chose not to draw from his food allowance and refused to acquire any land while he was serving in Judah.
Sometimes it's hard to think right off of how this kind of situation applies to our lives. Let's ask the Lord, "Is there some person or group of people for whom I should speak up? How can I better model being a good steward of my resources?" God is eager to use us as examples in our world. He will answer us and lead us in paths of righteousness.