In Nehemiah, chapter five, verse fifteen, because Nehemiah feared God, he did not use his authority to take advantage of the people, as some other leaders before him had done. Reverence for God makes us aware of our accountability to Him and motivates us to turn away from even subtle practices, such as manipulating or defrauding His people.
Those who truly fear God will not dare to do anything cruel or unjust. Let all in public places remember that they are there to do good, not to enrich themselves. Nehemiah mentions it to God in prayer, not as if he had merited any favor from God, but to show that he depended upon God to make up to him what he had lost and laid out for his honor. Nehemiah spoke and acted as one who knew himself to be a sinner. He did not mean to claim a reward as of debt but in the manner that the Lord rewards a cup of cold water given to a disciple for his sake.
The fear and love of God in the heart and love of the brethren will lead to every good work. These are proper evidences of justifying faith, and our reconciled God will look upon persons of this character for good, according to all they have done for his people. Nehemiah would not conform. And unless you can say ‘No!’ and do it very often, life will be shattered. Of course, a man cannot strip himself of the influences that bear upon him by the circumstances in which he lives, the trend of opinion, and the maxims and practices of the world in the corner and, at the time, his lot. But, on the other hand, be sure of this. Unless you are in a very deep and not at all, you will come to no good. It is so easy to do as others do, partly because of laziness and cowardice, partly because of the imitation in us all.