What practical steps can we take to prioritize others' needs over our own? Haman’s Self-Centered Question “Then Haman entered, and the king asked him, ‘What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?’ Now Haman thought to himself, ‘Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?’ ” (Esther 6:6) Haman’s reflex was to place himself at the center of the king’s favor. His self-focus exposed a heart blind to the needs, dignity, and safety of others—especially Mordecai and the Jewish people. From this single verse we receive a powerful warning and an opportunity to recalibrate our own instincts. Move From “What Do I Deserve?” To “Whom Can I Serve?” • Train the mind: each morning ask, “Whose load can I lighten today?” (Galatians 6:2). • Keep a short list of people you normally overlook; pray for them by name. • Intentionally defer in small daily choices—parking spaces, selecting restaurants, choosing seats—to build a reflex of preferring others (Romans 12:10). Embrace the Downward Path of Christ • Jesus “did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself” (Philippians 2:6-7). • Link every act of service to His example: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). • When recognition comes, redirect praise upward to God and outward to teammates, preventing a Haman-like spiral of self-importance. Cultivate Honoring Speech • Speak specific encouragement aloud; honor must be expressed to be felt (Proverbs 16:24). • Avoid self-promotion in conversation; instead highlight the contributions of others (Esther 6:10-11 shows the king publicly honoring Mordecai, not Haman). • Practice silent gratitude: thank God for opportunities to make others shine rather than seeking the spotlight. Plan Generosity Into Your Budget and Calendar • Set aside a giving fund—however small—to meet unexpected needs (2 Corinthians 9:7). • Schedule regular service opportunities so generosity becomes a rhythm, not a reaction. • Review expenditures monthly: do they reflect love of neighbor or love of comfort? Invite Accountability • Share your commitment with a trusted believer who will ask, “How did you put someone first this week?” • Celebrate wins together; confess lapses quickly to keep the heart soft and teachable (James 5:16). • Remember: humility grows best in community. Measure Success Differently • Heaven’s scoreboard values faithfulness, not applause (Matthew 6:1-4). • Journal moments where you quietly met a need; note the internal joy versus external recognition. • End each day asking, “Did I reflect Christ’s heart better than yesterday?” rather than, “Did people think highly of me?” Anticipate God’s Promotion, Not Self-Promotion Just as Mordecai was unexpectedly honored while Haman was humbled, God still lifts the humble and opposes the proud (1 Peter 5:5-6). Trust Him to exalt at the proper time; focus instead on lifting others now. |
    |