Passing the Prosperity Test: Nehemiah’s Leadership, Integrity, and Service to God

Summary

This passage teaches that prosperity tests faith more severely than adversity. While hardship often drives people to God, success breeds pride and forgetfulness. Using Jesus’ parable of the rich fool and Nehemiah’s leadership example, it warns against abusing power and privilege. Nehemiah resisted selfish gain, feared God, and served others faithfully. True greatness in God’s kingdom comes through integrity, self-sacrifice, and choosing service over self-interest.

Why Prosperity Is Harder Than Adversity

Prosperity is a tougher test than adversity. Wading through adversity is no picnic. When a loved one is dying of cancer, it’s hard. Prolonged unemployment can cause depression and discouragement. Farmers do not celebrate when their crops fail.

People react to adversity differently. Some get bitter against God. Others turn to Him as a reflex when the going gets tough. Few ignore Him during adversity.

Prosperity is even more challenging than adversity. Few people can maintain their spiritual, moral, and emotional balance when everything runs smoothly. They become proud, self-sufficient, and forget God.

The Foolishness of Self-Sufficiency

In Luke 12:16-21, we find the parable of the rich man who forgot God. He felt no obligation to use his wealth to bless others (Luke 12:19). His life was only about him.

Jesus described this self-sufficient, self-centered person as foolish. Prosperity makes a fool out of almost everyone. Some foolishly preach a prosperity gospel that appeals to human selfishness and does not further God's Kingdom.

Leadership has its privileges. Nehemiah was appointed governor of Judah, the highest official in the land. That would supply a huge temptation to flex his ruling muscles and swing his authority like a baseball bat. He did not.

The Temptations of Power and Leadership

Many with power today exploit others for personal gain. It is a temptation of leadership. James F. Byrnes said, “Power intoxicates men. When a man is intoxicated by alcohol, he can recover, but when intoxicated by power, he seldom recovers.”¹  

Nehemiah’s Example of God-Centered Leadership

One of Nehemiah’s privileges was his food allotment (Nehemiah 5:14). Former governors had collected food, wine, and forty shekels of silver from the people (Nehemiah 5:15). Nehemiah did not.

Many in leadership compromise their integrity. The spiritual health of Christian leaders is critical. Nehemiah did not compromise, and neither should Christian leaders.

God was his reference point. Not what had been done before. Not what others expected. Not what was most profitable for him.

Nehemiah was so solidly connected to God that when tempted, he said, “How could I do that?” That would affect his relationship with God.

Serving God by Serving Others

No privileges or feelings of power were worth that. He feared God too much to indulge himself.

His commitment to serving God and others kept him on the narrow road. He devoted himself to rebuilding the wall. Our world would be better if our political leaders prioritized serving the people and the country's best interests in the long term.

Passing the Prosperity Test

Greatness in God’s kingdom is proportional to the number of people we serve. Service requires self-sacrifice. How to seek God's Kingdom greatness?

We must say no to our selfish interests. We can serve ourselves or God, but not both.

We serve God by serving others. Nehemiah passed the prosperity test. Can we?

1.     Power intoxicates men. When a man is... - Quote (allauthor.com)

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