Text: Nehemiah 5:1-19.
“The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver…But I did not do so, because of the fear of God,” verse 15 [ESV]. Nehemiah led his people with a tender and loving heart. He did not tax his poor country men and women like his predecessors had done. Thus God increased his wealth to the extent that he could feed more than one hundred fifty people daily single handedly.
As you lead people feed them instead of them feeding you. Do not exploit them, be like Jesus Christ who would feed His people and at one time fed more than five thousand people. If you drink of water that Jesus Christ gives, you will never be thirsty again (John4:14). The Living water symbolises the eternal life.
Meditate on verse 14-18. How are you going to apply them to your life?
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I pray for our leaders not to exploit Your people but to instead care for and feed them. Amen.