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Investing in the Work of Governing

Christ the KingFinancial Regulation, Market Integrity and Public Trust Week 45 · Day 4

Scripture References

Read First

Old Testament

Nehemiah 5:14-19

¹⁴ Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brothers have not eaten the bread of the governor.
¹⁵ But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, plus forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants ruled over the people, but I didn’t do so, because of the fear of God.
¹⁶ Yes, I also continued in the work of this wall. We didn’t buy any land. All my servants were gathered there to the work.

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¹⁷ Moreover there were at my table, of the Jews and the rulers, one hundred and fifty men, in addition to those who came to us from amongst the nations that were around us.
¹⁸ Now that which was prepared for one day was one ox and six choice sheep. Also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days a store of all sorts of wine. Yet for all this, I didn’t demand the governor’s pay, because the bondage was heavy on this people.
¹⁹ Remember me, my God, for all the good that I have done for this people.

New Testament

Romans 13:6

⁶ For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, continually doing this very thing.

Thought for the Day

Nehemiah tells us what integrity in office can look like. He refuses to profit from his position. He will not take the governor’s food allowance, though he could. He bears the cost himself, and he shares his table. In a time of scarcity and fear, he will not add another burden to the people.

This is delicate ground. Money and power attract one another. The Scriptures neither sanctify corruption nor romanticise the state. They call for a public life in which authority is accountable and service is funded without becoming self-enrichment.

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Romans gives one short, surprising sentence: taxes are paid because those who govern devote themselves to the work; in that sense they are God’s servants, attending continually. Paul is not praising every ruler. He is naming the vocation: public responsibility is real labour, requiring provision.

Lord, give us wise seriousness about the costs of governing. Keep us from cheap contempt and from naive trust. Provide what is needed for public work to be done well, and cleanse it of greed. Bless those who serve with restrained integrity, and correct those who exploit. And teach us to be good citizens before you: praying, paying what is owed, and speaking the truth with humility and courage.

Prayer Points

Respond

Give integrity to those in public office: restraint with money, and a heart for the people.
Provide fair funding and honest oversight for public responsibilities, free from self-enrichment.
Keep us from contempt and cynicism; teach us sober discernment and steady prayer.

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Protect taxpayers and communities from waste and fraud; grant justice and accountability.
Bless public servants whose work is unseen and constant; give them strength and wisdom.

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