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HINDRANCES AND CHALLENGES TO SERVICE (III)
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Nehemiah 5:6-13

Matthew 12:22-30

 

“Every kingdom
divided against itself

is brought to desolation.”

 

HINDRANCES AND CHALLENGES TO SERVICE (III)
 
It is possible for one who is actively serving God to be blinded against his God-given duty towards his brother. The cry and plight of the people in Nehemiah 5 reflects the blight of humanity over the ages. It is possible to be united on many grounds and still be divided by selfishness and greed. And further still, it is possible that we be blinded to it. Whether by age-old adages of living in a “dog-eat-dog” world, or working in a “cut-throat” economy, or by economic principles like “supply and demand” leading us to take advantage of the high demand to “make a killing,” God’s children may find themselves hardening their hearts and closing their hands to their brothers because it does not make for good business.
 
I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers (Neh 5:7). The task Nehemiah had was an unenviable one. While leading and supervising the work in the presence of Sanballat and his allies, Nehemiah repeatedly spoke to “the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people,” encouraging them in the work even in the face of the enemy’s threats, urging them to “…remember the Lord…” (Neh 4:14), and to be prepared to consolidate their efforts since “the work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall” (Neh 4:19). But then, he received news that made him “very angry” (Neh 5:6) and had to speak to the nobles and the rulers. This time, it was not to exhort or encourage, but to rebuke. Such was the effect of selfishness and greed. They worked together on the wall, and were ready to respond to the call to join forces to repel the enemy in case of an attack, but away from the wall, they oppressed and exacted heavy burdens on those with whom they served together in the service of the Lord. No wonder, after Solomon had “considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun” said, “I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive” (Eccles 4:1-2). The reality of the corruption in civil states reared its head in the most noble of works led by one who served not for political ambition but for God’s glory. The provisions for lending and loaning (which were given to help the needy) were put to use, not for rendering help to the needy, but for enriching the lender!
 
THOUGHT: Selfish interest corrupts even the most noble of endeavours.

PRAYER: Father, grant me contentment and wisdom to serve selflessly.

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