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SACRIFICES FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE (IV)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Nehemiah 5:14-19

1 Timothy 3:1-8

 

“A bishop then must be…

given to hospitality…”

 

SACRIFICES FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE (IV)
 
Sacrifice has two sides. The first, and more common side, is in the things that one gives up or forgoes in order to serve, as well as in the course of service. But there is another side to sacrifice: the generosity, care and welcome one extends to others. Hospitality, as an act of sacrifice, presents Christian love and compassion towards others by sharing with them your space, time, energy and resources. It is also a reflection of the value placed on others and their needs, as you set your priorities to be gracious.
 
At my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers (Neh 5:17). The picture presented here is of one who willingly served and focused on the work at hand without selfish interests of personal gain. It is also of one who was gracious to others as reflected in his hospitable sharing of his goods and opening up his home to others. Nehemiah entertained a hundred and fifty Jews and rulers, in addition to not pursuing interests, or amassing wealth, for himself (Neh 5:16). He also did not take from them food or drink, nor tax them (Neh 5:14-15). On top of these, he did his best to redeem those Jews who had been sold to the heathens (Neh 5:8). All these took place during a very difficult period when “because of the dearth” (Neh 5:3), many had “mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn” while the rulers and nobles would “exert usury, every one of his brother” (Neh 5:7).
 
Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep (Neh 5:18). Nehemiah 5:18 is not a record of the extravagance or gluttony on Nehemiah’s part, but rather it was the cost of his hospitality and the sacrifice of his generosity. This was part of his cost of service. Nehemiah had sought to serve without being a burden to the Jews and this cost him. He bore this burden so that he might not burden the people he had come to serve. Despite this daily cost, Nehemiah did not make any financial demands on the people.
 
THOUGHT: Service rendered costs the one who renders it.
PRAYER: Father, may I be willing to serve Thee and Thy people, even when it costs me much.

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