Nehemiah 5

“The earlier governors, before me, had burdened the people, taxing them more than one-and-a-half pounds of silver shekels for food and wine; and even their servants lorded it over the people. But I didn’t, because I feared God. Moreover, I put all my energy into working on this wall. We didn’t buy any land, and all my servants were gathered there for work.” Nehemiah 5:15-16 (CJB)

It is amazing how effectively a follower of Messiah can lead simply by communicating to those around them that there is no personal agenda for which the leader is exploiting the laborers. Nehemiah was not rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem for political advancement or personal profit. He simply labored as unto the Lord, and the people respected and followed him because of it. Jesus exhorted His disciples similarly.    

“Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like one who serves.’” Luke 22:25-26 (NIV)

As a loyal subject of an earthly king, Nehemiah was “on leave” to Jerusalem only for a season. Afterward, he had to return to Shushan, where he came from. Still, he faithfully labored on behalf of his ancestors, his contemporaries, and the next generation. Nehemiah’s selfless attitude was very similar to Abraham’s.

“By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:9-10 (NKJV)

In our generation, we also must have the attitude that this World is not our home. If we keep this perspective, we will be free of the Worldly distraction that constantly nags us to get our “piece of the pie.”  Again, as with Abraham and Nehemiah, this World is not our home. Furthermore, we are given a task not unlike Nehemiah’s. He rebuilt the wall and gates of Jerusalem, but we are tasked to build God’s holy temple!!

“So then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers. On the contrary, you are fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s family. You have been built on the foundation of the emissaries and the prophets, with the cornerstone being Messiah Jesus Himself. In union with Him the whole building is held together, and it is growing into a holy temple in union with the Lord. Yes, in union with Him, you yourselves are being built together into a spiritual dwelling place for God!” Ephesians 2:19-22 (CJB)

Not are we building His dwelling place, human stone upon human stone, but we ourselves are stones, stacked & mortared in the apostle's teaching, with Jesus as our chief Cornerstone.