QT: Desire leads the dime Nehemiah 5:14–19 Week 29: 13/07/2023. Thu
Nehemiah desires God work and will to prevail. For this to happen, Nehemiah expended personal funds and abstain from benefits to ensure that God's will would not be hindered otherwise.
Nehemiah 5:18–19 Now what was prepared at my expense for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. [19] Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people. (ESV)
Nehemiah declined the governor's food allowance (5:14), did not abuse his power people (5:15) out of fear of God. Having 150 men "at my table" (5:17) was expensive. But out of pity for the heavy burden for the people, Nehemiah lived a prudent life (5:18), based on sustenance rather than luxury, and did not want to govern in such a way that costs him nothing.
Even though there is no monetary gain, Nehemiah's desire to actualise equality and sharing of the land's resources caused him to do his part to solve this discrepancy with some of his own resources.
REFLECTION: If our money and investment (dime) follows our desires, where do they end up?
Ideal organisational structures and finance planning do not always exist in the real world, but real needs and real pain abound. Act within our means, rather than wait with long necks.
