Scripture to Read: Nehemiah 5:14-1
As we finish Nehemiah 5 today, we see several truths here for us to follow. Nehemiah had been appointed governor in Judah, and though he had the right to tax the people and live off those taxes, Nehemiah chose not to tax them. Nehemiah feared God and did not want to do anything that might bring dishonor to His Lord or cause the people of Judah to stumble. God even led Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:1-15, not to take what was due to him as an apostle of Christ. For the same reason that Nehemiah did not take what was due to him, Paul did not want to be a stumbling block for anyone who was a new believer or for those who were not believers yet. We may hold a place of authority, or maybe we have a right to something that is due us, or perhaps we know that certain things are not sinful but could cause someone else to stumble because they think it’s sinful. As Nehemiah and Paul did, we must choose not to misuse our liberty just because it is our right. God tells us in Philippians 2:4-8 not just to look out for our own personal interests but to always look out for the interests of others, just as our Lord Jesus Christ did. God wants to use each of us for His honor and praise, but if we get caught up in our “liberties” at the cost of causing someone else to stumble, then we are wrong.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about looking out for the interest of others and not just yourself?
2. What will you do to guard against misusing the liberties God has given you?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!