Are You Walking The Talk?
Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, "In this way may God shake out of their house and possessions anyone who does not keep this promise. So may such a person be shaken out and emptied!"
At this the whole assembly said, "Amen," and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.
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. 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. 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.
Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations.
. . . In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people.
Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people. Neh. 5:12-19
At this the whole assembly said, "Amen," and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.
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. 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. 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.
Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations.
. . . In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people.
Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people. Neh. 5:12-19
The best way to lead is by example. Nehemiah was an excellent leader not just for his dependence on God, his passion for prayer, his genuine care for the plight of the people, his strategic mind and planning abilities but, very notably, also for the way he led by example. Nehemiah walked the talk. He was a servant leader. He worked hard alongside the people. He got his hands dirty. He refused to live in luxury at the expense of the people by refusing to take even what rightly belonged to him as governor. Nehemiah was thoughtful and very considerate. That is the mark of an effective leader. He was an exemplary leader.
Listen carefully to his words: ". . . (for) twelve years -- neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. But the earlier governors -- those preceding me -- placed a heavy burden on the people . . . Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. 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."
Our Lord Jesus, the utmost model of leadership, summarized godly leadership as follows: "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant . . . For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28 NLT) Jesus is making the point to us that godly leadership means we must serve and give selflessly of ourselves to others and not to lord it over those we lead. Jesus walked the talk.
Question: How would others describe you as a leader on the job? In your ministry? At home? In the classroom where you teach? Would they describe you as one who leads by example? Do you walk the talk by doing what you ask others to do? Would you be described as modest or greedy? Are you serving like Jesus? Do you realize that you have an enormous responsibility wherever and in whatever capacity you serve? Are you walking the talk so Christ would be honored by your testimony?
Listen carefully to his words: ". . . (for) twelve years -- neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. But the earlier governors -- those preceding me -- placed a heavy burden on the people . . . Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. 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."
Our Lord Jesus, the utmost model of leadership, summarized godly leadership as follows: "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant . . . For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28 NLT) Jesus is making the point to us that godly leadership means we must serve and give selflessly of ourselves to others and not to lord it over those we lead. Jesus walked the talk.
Question: How would others describe you as a leader on the job? In your ministry? At home? In the classroom where you teach? Would they describe you as one who leads by example? Do you walk the talk by doing what you ask others to do? Would you be described as modest or greedy? Are you serving like Jesus? Do you realize that you have an enormous responsibility wherever and in whatever capacity you serve? Are you walking the talk so Christ would be honored by your testimony?
Prayer: Father, I thank you for the opportunity to lead in the area of responsibility you have given me. Please help me to walk the talk so that my life will bring honor to your name and not disrepute. Amen.