Nehemiah 6: 17-18 - 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. 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. 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. I asked for nothing, even though I regularly fed 150 Jewish officials at my table, besides all the visitors from other lands! 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. (NLT)
There is power in sacrifice! We know this from our Saviour's actions and the words that He taught us.
John 3:16 - For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (NLT)
John 10:18 - No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded. (NLT)
John 15:13 - There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (NLT)
In today’s passage, we learn that Nehemiah like Jesus was a sacrificial leader. Not only did he empathize with the problems of the people but he changed his circumstances to his own detriment to try to elevate their pain and suffering. What a challenge to us all!
Questions for reflection: Am I a sacrificial leader? Have I considered adjusting my circumstances to benefit those that I am leading? Have I asked the Holy Spirit to help me be a sacrificial leader?
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