Page 54 - Principles of Leadership - Nehemiah

position recognizes that ultimately God is the one who allows for wealth accumulation. Deuteronomy 8:18 But
remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth. Therefore, ultimately
God is the owner, and we are merely stewards entrusted with wealth. The Jews realized that before the
captivity, the prophet Amos wrote in Amos 5:23-24, let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-
failing stream. But they refused to listen and obey this admonition from the prophet Amos, and God allowed
the Babylonians to conquer Israel. Seventy years later, God began to speak through another prophet named
Zechariah, who said this. (Zechariah 7:9-10) The Lord Almighty says: Administer true justice; show mercy and
compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts,
do not think evil of each other. Nehemiah understood this principle of brotherhood and that every human
being was to be treated with respect and dignity because we are all created in the image of God. But beyond
this general principle is the specific command to do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the
family of believers. (Galatians 6:10) If you want to find a real leader, look at how they treat the least of these in
a room full of people. Do they give time and money to those who cannot do anything for them? I hope that we
will look at social justice in a new light and that we can pray the same prayer that Nehemiah could pray at the
end of this chapter. Remember me favorably, my God, for all that I have done for these people.

I want to add one last point to these comments on this chapter. Remember that Nehemiah devoted himself to
the construction of the wall, and all my subordinates were gathered there for the work. We didn’t buy any
land. 17 There were 150 Jews and officials, as well as guests from the surrounding nations, at my table. 18
Each day, one ox, six choice sheep, and some fowl were prepared for me. An abundance of all kinds of wine
was ⌊provided⌋ every 10 days. As I look at this passage, I see a rich person who did not exploit those who were
poor by buying any land from them at exploitation rates. He did his best to buy back our Jewish countrymen
who were sold. He feeds all of his servants from his earnings and not out of the governor's allotment. He, as
well as my brothers and my servants, has been lending them money and grain without interest. But notice the
words that were used to describe the way he lived. Nehemiah ate in abundance. Not one time in the scriptures
is Nehemiah rebuked for being rich. Therefore, we must realize that the scriptures teach us that “the poor you
will always have with you.” (Matthew 26:11, see also Deuteronomy 15:11) As previously mentioned, it is God
who gives the ability to obtain wealth. Therefore, there will always be tension in the scriptures and in our
everyday life regarding wealth accumulation. Therefore, we must remember that it is not a sin to be wealthy.
However, it is a sin to be wealthy and lack compassion toward those who are the working poor. I see Nehemiah
serving his fellow Jews as a compassionate capitalist if I were to phrase it in modern-day vocabulary.

Let’s Practice…

1. Because 26,000 people die every day of starvation or a preventable disease, people are
asking the Western church are _________________ more important than ________________________?

2. When is it appropriate for leadership to become angry?

3. Who is the owner of your personal wealth?

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