While the wall of Jerusalem was being rebuilt, Nehemiah encountered other difficulties among his own people. The poor were struggling. During a famine, many had to mortgage their homes to purchase food and pay the high taxes placed on them. Nehemiah tried to remedy this by forcing the wealthy landowners to return the payments. That is when Nehemiah spoke these words. He felt the need to personally assist the poor. He willingly served food to the needy out of love for them and reverence to God, sometimes feeding up to 150 people at his table. Surely his generosity is something we should imitate. As God’s children, our lives have been enriched and blessed in so many ways. We should also make every effort to help the needy. Deuteronomy 15:11 (ESV) says it well, “You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.”
A word of wisdom for a sticky note:
“We serve God by serving others!”
Today my prayer includes . . .
thanks for this special blessing:
concern for this special person:
petition for this special problem:
A closing verse:
O Christ, what can your people bring
To show you thanks and love?
You need no fragrant offering;
For now you reign above.
Since there will never cease to be
The poor throughout the land,
May we, your church, serve faithfully
By offering them our hand.
Carolyn W. Gillette
From Hope for Each New Day by Reynold R. Kremer