In the book of Nehemiah, we learn that Nehemiah’s preceding Governors had placed a heavy burden on the people by demanding onerous taxes and provisions. These leaders seemed motivated by self-interest.
Nehemiah had the same taxing rights, but his motives were different. Rather than look to his own self-interest and grow his wealth, Nehemiah showed concern for the people and God’s desire for them.
Nehemiah 5:15 says, “But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that.”
Just because we can extract personal gain as leaders, doesn’t mean we should.
