“Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.”
Nehemiah 5:14-15 KJV
From the time King Artaxerxes appointed me as their governor in the land of Judah—from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of his reign, twelve years—neither I nor my brothers used the governor’s food allowance. Governors who had preceded me had oppressed the people by taxing them forty shekels of silver a day for food and wine while their underlings bullied the people unmercifully. But out of fear of God I did none of that. Nehemiah as governor had a heart for the Jews under him and interceded for them. In Christ leaders are to shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor lording over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. When the Chief Shepherd appears, you’ll be crowned with unfading glory. Amen!
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