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SACRIFICES FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE (I)
LORD’S DAY, FEBRUARY 8
Nehemiah 5:14-19

2 Corinthians 12:14-19

 

“I will very gladly spend

and be spent for you…”

 

SACRIFICES FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE (I)
 
Success requires making sacrifices. In the pursuit of our goals, we often have to give up or sacrifice certain things in life because we value what we pursue. The sacrifices we are willing to make are therefore a reflection of the value we place on our pursuits. For Nehemiah to come this far and achieve this much, he had taken leave from his own work duties, endured the long journey to be in the dismal living conditions in Jerusalem, and endured much opposition and challenges in the discharge of his heart’s desire and burden for Jerusalem. In addition to all these, there were the duties and responsibilities he took upon himself for the service to be accomplished: the organising, supervising and arranging of the work and the workers, the speaking to, motivating and challenging of the workmen, and the dealing with issues that emerged among them in the course of the work, even though the issues seemed to be “outside the workplace.”
 
Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah (Neh 5:14). This interlude that Nehemiah gave not only gives us information concerning Nehemiah’s tenure of service, but also a picture of the value Nehemiah placed on his service. This value was reflected by the sacrifice he made for the twelve-year period in which he served as governor in the land of Judah. It also shows us that the record of the whole book of Nehemiah was written after the events of the book had happened.
 
I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor (Neh 5:14). Service can never be profitably done if the one who serves does so for monetary and selfish gains. Nehemiah did not serve for personal gain, and so he could willingly serve even when he did not receive the lawful renumeration that was normally gained by the tribute and taxes charged. He valued the service above the renumeration. And he was willing to forgo what was right and legal for he considered the times and distress that the people were in.
 
THOUGHT: I can pray for God’s help when I seek to do His will.

PRAYER: Grant, O Father, that I may always trust Jesus.

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