Nehemiah 7:62-73: a reflection

62The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda: six hundred forty-two. 63Of the priests: the children of Hobaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name. 64These searched for their genealogical records, but couldn’t find them. Therefore they were deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood. 65The governor told them not to eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to minister with Urim and Thummim. 66The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty, 67in addition to their male servants and their female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven. They had two hundred forty-five singing men and singing women. 68Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five; 69their camels, four hundred thirty-five; their donkeys, six thousand seven hundred twenty. 70Some from among the heads of fathers’ households gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury one thousand darics of gold, fifty basins, and five hundred thirty priests’ garments. 71Some of the heads of fathers’ households gave into the treasury of the work twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand two hundred minas of silver. 72That which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand darics of gold, plus two thousand minas of silver, and sixty-seven priests’ garments. 73So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel lived in their cities. When the seventh month had come, the children of Israel were in their cities.

As the returned exiles rebuild and reorganize, the leaders take the lead in giving to the work. The governor gave generously to the treasury, and the heads of the fathers' households gave; large amounts of gold and silver were contributed to the work of God's house. The leaders did not merely call on others to give; they themselves gave, and gave generously, setting the example in supporting the work. They led the way in generosity.

Notice that the leaders led the way in giving. The governor and the heads of households did not simply organize the giving or urge others to contribute; they themselves gave, and gave generously, from their own resources. They set the example, leading the way in supporting the work of God's house with their own generosity. Their leadership in giving was not by exhortation only, but by example, giving first and generously themselves.

That example of leaders leading the way in giving is worth taking to heart, for those who lead are called to lead by example, especially in generosity. It is easy to call on others to give while giving little oneself; but the leaders here led the way, giving generously themselves before or alongside others. If you have any leadership or influence, lead by example in generosity, as these leaders did, giving generously yourself rather than merely urging others to give. Leadership in giving is best done by example, not exhortation alone; those who would lead others in supporting God's work should lead the way in giving generously themselves. Do not merely call on others to give while holding back yourself; set the example, as the governor and heads of households set it, leading the way in generosity to the work of God, that your giving may encourage and lead others by example, rather than by words alone.

Lord, as the returned exiles rebuilt and reorganized, the leaders took the lead in giving to the work: the governor gave generously, and the heads of households gave, contributing large amounts to the work of your house. They did not merely call on others to give; they themselves gave generously, setting the example. Show me that the leaders led the way in giving, not by exhortation only, but by example, giving first and generously themselves. Take that example to my heart, for those who lead are called to lead by example, especially in generosity. It is easy to call on others to give while giving little oneself; but the leaders here led the way. If I have any leadership or influence, help me lead by example in generosity, as these leaders did, giving generously myself rather than merely urging others to give. Leadership in giving is best done by example, not exhortation alone; those who would lead others in supporting your work should lead the way in giving generously themselves. Keep me from merely calling on others to give while holding back myself; help me set the example, as the governor and heads of households set it, leading the way in generosity to your work, Lord, that my giving may encourage and lead others by example, rather than by words alone. Help me lead by example in generosity.