Nehemiah 5:1-19
We just started a new series from Nehemiah on Back to the Bible called Effective Leadership for the 21st Century. (If you haven't joined our study yet, check it out.) But what we see in Nehemiah 5 today is key for us as Christians whether or not we're in a leadership position. You see Nehemiah valued people. So when he discovered that many were struggling and suffering and not able to take care of their families, he stepped up and did something about it. He also made sure he and those working with him were not over indulging.
So what can we do to make sure we are valuing others and that we're sensitive to, as well as acting upon, their needs? Did you see anything from Nehemiah's example that you could put into practice? Tami W.
I learn to be considerate and to hear the words of the people. Mark 6:34 says, When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So is it that Nehemiah had compassion on the people. Jesus also listenened to the people, the story of blind Bartimaeus is an example of Jesus hearing the peoples cry. nehemiah listened to the peoples cry and was able to have the burdensome taxes revoked.
We are to be like Nehemiah but we are also to be like Christ, compassionate and kind and attentive to others.
At last, I finally get to post here - I've been trying to respond to this question for the last few hours, but kept getting interrupted.
I love Nehemiah and I love his generosity. Nehemiah understood that the people were under enough stress and because he was a good leader, someone who wanted to encourage them and not burden them, he rightly asked the Lord to "Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people."
And ya know what, HE DID.
And the thing about being generous is that the Lord is always more generous than we will ever be. Amen!
To value others we have to listen to what they say pray about and take up their issues and give feedback. We (leaders of nations and individuals) can learn a great deal from Nehemiah Chapter 5. If we follow Nehemiah's leadership this world could be so much better. we must never put up with injustice of any kind to anyone. God made us all equal and we must be our brothers' keepers. Love our God with all our heart, and all our mind and soul and our neighbours as ourselves. Let us pray for all persons including our enemies today. let us pray for God's guidance in everything we do or say.
Very good people! I love this blog and your comments. And Joan I appreciate your wisdom and spirit. Every time I see your comments I see concern for others in your 'voice'. Nehemiah told them how to get it right. It is good to listen to others so we might see how Jesus sees. Jump right in there to help where possible(that's service). We are all the same in God's eyes. His judgment is sure. "Fear God and obey His commands for that is the whole duty of man"(Ecc.12:13). Now we obey Jesus' command to love one another. There are 23 places to find 'love one another' in Scripture-(Jn.13:33-36;15:12-17; Ro.12:10;13:8; Gal.5:13; Eph:4:2; 1 Thes.3:12;4:9;5:13; 2Thes.1:3; Heb.10:24; 1Peter 1:22;4:8;5:14; 1 Jn.3:1,11,23; 4:7,11,12; 2Jn.1:5. Oh How I love Jesus and HIS WORD.