Contribution Over Criticism

In a world full of opinions, commentary, and hot takes—what we really need are contributors.

Back in the early days of NASA, when pressure was high and the space race was on, there was a woman named Katherine Johnson. She wasn’t loud and she didn’t seek the spotlight. In fact, being a black woman in a white male dominated industry meant silence was her best friend. But her quiet, consistent work changed history. When it came time for John Glenn’s historic orbit, he didn’t ask for more opinions—he asked for her. “Get the girl to check the numbers,” he said. He trusted her contribution because she had a track record.

We need more people like that. People who build, not just shout. People who contribute, not just critique. We need more people like Nehemiah. His story shows us that contribution is way more valuable than criticism. He didn’t lead with a megaphone—he led with a burden and a plan.

Contributors Build. Critics Talk.

Nehemiah could’ve stayed in the palace. As the cupbearer to the Persian king, he had comfort, security, and influence. But when he heard about the broken walls of Jerusalem and the vulnerable state of his people, he didn’t shrug it off. He didn’t say, “Well, someone else will handle it.” He wept. He fasted. He prayed. And he owned the problem.

He didn’t start by blaming others or ranting about poor leadership. He included himself in the confession: “We have sinned.” Before he lifted a stone, he lifted a prayer. That’s what contributors do—they begin with humility, not hostility. They move toward the brokenness instead of staying at a safe distance.

Contributors Ask for Permission

When the king noticed Nehemiah’s sorrow, he asked what was wrong. Nehemiah didn’t use the moment to campaign or grandstand. Instead, he humbly and respectfully made a request. He asked to go rebuild the city of his people. And then he went even further—he asked for letters of safe passage and even the king’s resources to help with the project. He had a plan. He was ready.

Nehemiah wasn’t trying to make noise; he was trying to make a difference. While critics often demand the spotlight, contributors prepare in the shadows. They don’t stir up controversy for attention—they make thoughtful—oftentimes risky—moves to pursue real change.

Too often today we seek a platform before we seek permission.

But Nehemiah reminds us: faithful obedience in private often leads to meaningful influence in public.

Contributors Take Inventory Before Action

When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he didn’t go viral with an announcement. He didn’t post a big reveal. Instead, he quietly inspected the damage at night. He surveyed the ruins before making his plans known.

Why? Because contributors don’t assume they know everything. They ask questions. They observe. They seek clarity.

This kind of thoughtful leadership is rare. Nehemiah teaches us that if you want to lead people well or witness to people, you have to see the problem clearly first. It’s not about rushing in with answers—it’s about walking humbly with insight and care.

We see this same kind of wisdom in leaders like Coach Norman Dale from the movie Hoosiers. He didn’t chase immediate wins—he built a foundation. And that kind of patient, intentional work—that’s what leads to real, lasting change.

Contributors Stay on the Wall

As soon as Nehemiah and his team started building, the critics came out in full force. They mocked, they schemed, they even tried to pull him away from the work. And Nehemiah’s response in chapter 6 is one of the most powerful lines in this story: “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.”

He refused to be dragged into distractions. He wasn’t arrogant—he was focused. And in a culture where outrage and arguments are currency, we desperately need that kind of clarity. Contributors don’t let critics set the agenda. They know what God has called them to, and they stay faithful to it—even when it’s hard.

You will be tempted to fight battles that don’t matter. You’ll be invited into debates that drain your energy. But remember this: when you're doing a great work, you don’t have to come down.

Contributors Call Out Injustice, Not Just Incompetence

Nehemiah wasn’t just about the physical walls—he cared about the people inside them. When he found out that some of the wealthy Jews were exploiting the poor, forcing them to mortgage their homes and even sell their children into slavery, he didn’t stay silent. He confronted the injustice directly.

Contributors aren’t just concerned with structure—they care about people. They use their influence to protect the vulnerable. They pursue fairness, generosity, and mercy. Nehemiah didn’t tolerate corruption within his own team just because they were “on his side.” He demanded change. He led with conviction. What good is a strong, fortified city if the people inside of it are suffering?

Nehemiah shows us real leadership here. That’s what makes a contributor different from a critic. Critics talk about problems. Contributors fix them—starting with their own house.

Contributors Finish What They Start

In just 52 days, the wall was completed. That’s incredible—not just because of the pace, but because of the pressure. Nehemiah and the people faced opposition, ridicule, fear, distraction, and even betrayal. But they didn’t quit. They saw it through.

The end result wasn’t just a physical wall. It was a spiritual statement: “This work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” That’s the ultimate mark of a true contributor—they don’t just finish the job, they give God the glory.

Critics may be loud, but contributors are faithful. They stay the course. They finish strong. And their legacy isn’t built on comments—it’s built on impact.

You may not be building a wall, but every day you walk into spaces where you can either reflect the temperature or set it. You can either stir up drama or speak life. You can tear down—or you can build up.

Choose to be a contributor.

Pick up a brick. Stay on the wall. Lead with humility. Finish what God started in you. And when it’s all said and done, may people look back and say, “This was done with the help of our God.”