Nehemiah 5:15
But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
Cross-reference
In Nehemiah 5:9, he calls for walking in the fear of God—the same motivation that drives his refusal to exploit his position as governor.
Nehemiah 7:2 highlights Hananiah as one who feared God — the same reverence that drove Nehemiah's integrity here.
In 1 Samuel 8:15, Samuel warns that a king will take a tenth of grain and vineyards, just as the former governors took food, wine, and silver.
In 2 Corinthians 12:13, Paul highlights that he did not burden the church—a direct parallel to Nehemiah's voluntary sacrifice of his entitled allowance.
In 2 Corinthians 11:9, Paul boasts that he did not burden the Corinthians, just as Nehemiah refused the governor's bread to avoid burdening the people.
Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2:9 worked night and day to not be a burden, directly paralleling Nehemiah's refusal to burden the people.
Malachi 3:5 lists oppressing workers as something God judges, directly connecting to Nehemiah's fear of God that prevented such oppression.
In Proverbs 28:16, a ruler who hates unjust gain is blessed — Nehemiah's refusal of the governor's allowance embodies this.
In Proverbs 3:7, fearing the LORD and turning from evil is commanded — Nehemiah lives this out by not oppressing.
Ezekiel 18:8 describes righteous conduct including not oppressing or taking interest, aligning with Nehemiah's refusal to burden the people out of fear of God.
In Proverbs 14:16, wisdom is cautious and turns from evil — Nehemiah's restraint reflects that wisdom.
Acts 9:31 mentions walking in the fear of the Lord, the same motivation Nehemiah gives for his just governance.
In Psalm 19:9, the fear of the LORD is clean and enduring — it explains why Nehemiah's motive leads to pure conduct.
Ephesians 5:21 calls for mutual submission out of reverence for Christ, mirroring Nehemiah's humble leadership motivated by fear of God.
Colossians 3:22 instructs servants to work sincerely fearing the Lord, reflecting the same reverence that guided Nehemiah's conduct.
In Psalm 26:11, integrity is a hallmark of the righteous — Nehemiah's refusal to exploit demonstrates that integrity.
In Job 1:8, Job is described as fearing God and shunning evil — exactly the motive Nehemiah cites for his righteous actions.