Neh. 4 [The Message]

When Nehemiah heard about how the officials were lining their pockets with benefits at the expense of the common people, he was incensed. He called a meeting and challenged them all to STOP squeezing their fellow Isrealites; He himself emptied his pockets in their presence signifying his contempt for their corruption.

Quite often, the common people have no idea of how they are being ripped off. It’s usually when their conditions become so dire that it is in flagrant contrast to the lifestyle of their leaders.

 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. [Phil. 2:3-5]