Leadership Is Humility

Revelation

Nehemiah 5:14–19 CSB

14 Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah—from the twentieth year until his thirty-second year, twelve years—I and my associates never ate from the food allotted to the governor. 15 The governors who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them food and wine as well as a pound of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but because of the fear of God, I didn’t do this. 16 Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of this wall, and all my subordinates were gathered there for the work. We didn’t buy any land. 17 There were 150 Jews and officials, as well as guests from the surrounding nations at my table. 18 Each day, one ox, six choice sheep, and some fowl were prepared for me. An abundance of all kinds of wine was provided every ten days. But I didn’t demand the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy. 19 Remember me favorably, my God, for all that I have done for this people.

The root and point of this whole passage:

Who are you working for? (Remember me favorably, my God, for all that I have done for this people

1. Godly Leaders Work With Humility - 5:14-15a

v. 14 - Forgoing the pleasures of leadership for the point of leadership (elaborate)

Flowing from last week; the point is not to build up yourself but the whole people of God

Romans 12:9–13 CSB

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. 10 Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. 11 Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. 13 Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.

Commentary ^

Philippians 2:1–4 CSB

1 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.

Are these not what we have been called to as Christians?

v. 15 - Bad examples give great opportunity for change; but we must recognize the difference between a good and bad example and be willing to change

(how many would say “well that’s the perks of the job, soak it up etc.”)

Humility is a grind - “12 years - I and my associates never ate from the food allotted to the governor”

Humility is not, being humble until I get my chance - because that is still self-serving

2. Godly Leaders Fear God - 5:15b-16

v.15 - Can & Should are not the same

Nehemiah refers to the food as being allotted (meaning it is allowed [that’s can]) and yet he refers to it as oppressing the people

Because he recognized the extra burden it placed on the people

v.15 - The fear of God should guide us in decisions

What is the fear of God?

Proverbs 1:7 CSB

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.

The Fear of God is the man in the boat in the middle of the ocean; with the boat vs. without the boat

v.16 - Nehemiah put his head down to work

Nehemiah was so mindful of the people, he refused to even buy up more land as he very well could have

Because he recognized that he is not the sum total of Israel; he could very well justify doing it but recognize he could also leave the land, and empower the people

To eventually buy the land themselves

This is godly leadership & humility - it is the consideration of others

3. Godly Leaders Sacrifice For Others - 5:17-19

v. 17-18 Sacrificing for others means knowing the others

Each day, Nehemiah the leader had all sorts of people around him at his table

The language of this passage also implies he was sacrificial to the degree that he always provided the food (elaborate)

v. 19 Nehemiah knows who he works for

Colossians 3:23–24 CSB

23 Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.

Why do we have this desire to be noticed by others?

To Gain the attention of others?

Or work to promote ourselves? That we would be magnified and everyone will come and look at us and say great job to us?

It is all a desire to be noticed, to be vindicated, to know our work isn’t in vain

That someone will just notice us

All of that, while not inherently bad, can become bad when we fail to recognize, the only one that matters, already sees and already knows

To rest securely that God sees our work but more importantly...

That the Father sees the work of Jesus and is satisfied in that, and if we are also in Christ, that is we have repented of sin and be born again of Him

He is also therefore satisfied in us

Picture of Jesus

Humility - Philippians 2:4-11

Philippians 2:4–11 CSB

4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. 5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. 7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. 9 For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2. Self-Sacrificial - Romans 5:6-8

Romans 5:6–8 CSB

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.