Leading By Example
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Nehemiah 5 and Psalm 112 (NIV)
(Ng Chai Seng, Secretary, LCEC)
READ:
Nehemiah 5 and Psalm 112 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Nehemiah 5:
v15 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.
v18 Each day one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine of all kinds. In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people.
Nehemiah was appointed as governor. He did not lord it over the people, and did not place burdens on them. He did not consider his rank an entitlement; though the abundant spread of food was allotted to the governor, he did not demand for it.
His focus was on building the wall, not gratifying his own desire or gaining prestige and power, or earning praise from the people. He was a leader involved in the work alongside the people. He did not exploit them but considered himself a part of them. He led by example as a servant leader. “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)
APPLY:
We often hear Christians testify about how they were inspired by leaders who encouraged and nurtured them through words and actions.
I remember once being invited to serve in Wesley’s Church Camp Organising Committee. I counted it a privilege. I was encouraged by the then Chairperson, the late Mr Liau Nyuk Siong who led by example. He listened to ideas and suggestions, and even undertook the menial task of data entry of campers’ details. He made serving in the camp committee enjoyable and fulfilling. He paved the way to pass the baton to the next generation by empowering fellow workers, serving humbly, and leading by example.
In one of his sermons on leaving a godly heritage, Rev Raymond Fong shared that one method is to show the next generation by being role models of faithful service, and our prayer is that those who come behind us will find us faithful.
Matthew 20:28 tells us that Christ showed the way to serve: “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
This is a reminder for us to serve and inspire those around us wherever God places us, be it in the office, school, church, family or the community – to enable and empower the next generation to serve in big and small ways.
DO:
• I will be grateful to God for the privilege to serve in His ministry.
• I will count it a blessing to serve alongside fellow workers in the body of Christ.
PRAY:
Dear God, we praise You for You are worthy of our worship. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve. We pray that leaders will serve to inspire, that those who serve will find it a joy to be involved in Your ministry, and that those who are invited will be open to the opportunities to serve. Christ the Servant King is our greatest role model who came not to be served but to serve. Grant us this attitude that we may stay focused on serving You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
