Be the Example
After the Exile • Sermon • Submitted
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Generous - vs. 14-15
Generous - vs. 14-15
As Governor, Nehemiah had the right to receive support from the people he governed.
For twelve years the people were spared the burden of their crops and money.
40 shekels of silver at Friday’s market price was about $2,288. Over 12 years that means $27,465 per man.
Nehemiah 11 indicates there were over 3,000 men of Jerusalem at that time. That means Nehemiah forfeited over $82 million.
He freely gave of himself to the people.
Generous spirits look for ways to bless others and go out of their way to do so.
Who among us has given what we have not first received?
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
Our Example should always be Jesus so what do we see about Generosity in His life?
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
“No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”
Faithful - vs. 16
Faithful - vs. 16
“I also applied myself to the work”
Only you can determine your willingness to commit
Until you commit, you will not accomplish much for His Kingdom
Faithfulness is not the absence of failure, it is the decision to continue pressing forward when failure comes.
Jesus, again is our example...
“I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.
Example - vs. 17-18
Example - vs. 17-18
He fed the Jews
He fed the Officials
He fed the nations
Look at the menu, it included six “choice” sheep and all sorts of wine in abundance
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
Humble - vs. 19
Humble - vs. 19
He simply prayed that God would remember his actions
He didn’t demand thanks from the people, he simply asked them to treat one another properly.
Do what God gives you to do, and trust Him to reward you in accordance with His will.
Again, let us look at the life of Jesus...
“Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You;
for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me.