This was Mordecai's character throughout the story. Just as we saw Esther's character was one of faithful obedience, Mordecai's was one of care for others. He cared for little Esther when she had no parents. He watched carefully over her while she was in the palace. He protected the king from assassination. He advised Esther when she was queen. He stood against evil to protect his people. And why did he do this?
Was it because he had his eye on the throne? Hardly. Was it because these were the easiest choices? No. Was it because he knew there would be a great reward in the end? I doubt it. Mordecai was a man of integrity. He believed doing right and standing for right held its own reward. Esther's success was his success. The king's security was his security. His people's protection was his protection.
He wasn't acting out of self-interest, but out of a service to others.
The story of Esther and Mordecai portrays the obvious. For Haman, self-seeking was ruinous. For Mordecai, seeking the wealth of others brought wealth to himself.
So we must ask ourselves, "On which side of the story do we live?" Do we live greedily seeking to get all we can? Do we think of ourselves first when we make decisions?
My mother used everyday lessons to teach us about giving to others first. For example, when we cut pieces of cake for the family, we were to give the largest portion first to our father, and then between the two of us girls, whoever was serving was to take the final, smaller piece. I can still hear her saying, "Give the larger portion to the other person, otherwise you are being selfish."
When it came to the fight for who would ride in the front seat with Mom, her comment was, "The more mature will give way and take the back seat."
This idea of putting self first breeds a spirit of competition that grows into an ugly level of narcissism. We see this so prominently in our society.
Sadly, we are less often made aware of those who do not seek their own, but seek the wealth of others; the benefit of others over self. Those serving in the homeless shelters, giving to worthy charities, and serving others through education, medicine, and leadership are the real heroes of our society. And God will honor them.
Mordecai wasn't looking for promotion. He was focused on being a blessing to his people, and God blessed him. We see a similar story in the life of Joseph, too. God honors those who honor others. It is part of the Golden Rule - "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise" (Luke 6:31). This was one of the first Bible verses I learned, but I learned a paraphrase - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
So today, think about your underlying motivation. Is it self-seeking and self-promoting or others-focused? Are you treating others with genuine value, or do you see yourself as above them? Do you insist on the front seat and the biggest portion of the cake, or can you be the more mature?
God honors humility. James 4:10, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."
The promise of blessing is found in giving - "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom, for with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again" (Luke 6:38).
And this giving isn't limited to monetary gifts. We give when we show respect. We give when we act to support those in need. We give when we show we care. We give when we put others first.
It's quite a challenge, isn't it? So today, when you are tempted to hold back from giving or keep the biggest portion for yourself, why not step back and allow the biggest portion to go to someone else? You never know how God will bless you, and you will be amazed at how good you feel when you put others first.
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