The wall rebuilding project brought existing money problems for most of the Jews living in Jerusalem and the surrounding area to a head. Nehemiah’s swift action to address the issue and relieve the ordinary folk of the misery they found themselves in found favour with the people. But sadly, the reality of poverty and oppression is a permanent feature of society this side of Jesus’ return, and the problems rose again.
Twelve years later, many of those under Nehemiah’s governance still faced the same hard scrabble to live. While Nehemiah could have enjoyed the benefits and privileges that he was entitled to as the Persian King’s representative in Judea, he did not do so. Instead, he demonstrated generous sacrifice by laying aside his privileges, and sharing of his own wealth. Not only does Nehemiah serve as an example to us of a life gripped by God’s grace, but he demonstrates God’s generous heart to us in Christ.
After the account of the near-revolt over living conditions found in the beginning of chapter 5, the book of Nehemiah switches to what appears to be an insertion from Nehemiah’s journal written twelve years later.
Nehemiah stated that “from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor” (v.14). As the official representative of the King in Jerusalem, Nehemiah was entitled to a house and a food allowance. He was also allowed to collect taxes for himself, to fund his lifestyle along with local infrastructure and public functions, as well as that required by the Persian King.
Previous governors had taken full advantage of this privilege and had accumulated for themselves, to the value of forty shekels of silver per day (which was presumably a substantial amount, v.15). Nehemiah was perfectly entitled to this, but he chose not to impose it.
Instead, Nehemiah laid aside his privileges for the benefit of the people and especially because “of the fear of God” (v.15). Nehemiah was not motivated by earthly desires but by the grip of grace which God had placed on his heart. He sought to glorify God, not to feather his own nest.
This extended to the servants which Nehemiah employed. While other governors used them for their own benefit, Nehemiah “persevered in the work on this wall” and set his own labourers to task in the project (v.16). He did not use the wall project as an excuse to build his own property empire (v.16).
Nehemiah also sacrificed his own wealth for God’s People. Ordinarily as a governor he would be expected to wine and dine officials, and this would come from public funds (generously provided by Joseph Taxpayer). Nehemiah wore the cost of this entertainment himself (vv.17-18), to the tune of “each day … one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance” (v.18).
Nehemiah could have made the people pay this. It was part of the job description for a governor to eat, and entertain, well. But Nehemiah did not, “because the service was too heavy on this people” (v.18). Nehemiah was a shepherd as well as a manager (governor) and leader; and he understood that taking what he was entitled would hurt those in his care. Instead he chose to sacrifice from his own pocket to keep the system happy, and care for those under him.
Nehemiah’s account of his generosity ends with a prayer. “Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people” (v.19). Nehemiah was not asking for God to treat him as righteous because of these deeds, or boasting of his generosity.
Instead, Nehemiah is boldly asking God to be pleased with his labours, like a father is pleased with his son’s efforts. Not because it makes him righteous, but because God has already made Nehemiah righteous. Nehemiah’s acts are the fruits of that salvation. He asks God to accept these deeds, flawed as they would have been, for God’s glory.
Nehemiah’s example is one for us all to look at. Our world is big on rights and taking what is ours, but Nehemiah’s life was an example of service and sacrifice for the sake of God and others. Nehemiah’s sacrifice and generosity shows the same attitude that we should hold, especially to our fellow believers.
Nehemiah’s attitude was the result of God’s work in his life, to make his heart reflect the heart of God. That same heart was most fully expressed in Jesus Christ, whose very heart is the heart of God for us, walking among us. Jesus laid aside his divine privileges to serve us, even sacrificing his life for our sake.
When we generously sacrifice, we reflect that same heart to others which we have experienced.
Lord, help us to show the same generosity! And Lord, accept our own sinful efforts of generosity for your glory!