In Esther 4:13,14 Mordecai, sensing her internal struggle, sends this message to her: “Do not flatter yourself that you shall escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?” (amp).

In other words, Mordecai said, “Esther, don’t flatter yourself!" You are not in the palace because you are so beautiful or wonderful or special. You have been placed in the position you are in because you are a strategic part of a divine purpose that is much larger than yourself. For you to stand up and speak out for your people is not some generous act of charity or an optional courtesy—it is the very reason God put you in the palace in the first place!” Mordecai went on to emphasise the severity of the situation, saying in essence, “If you try to protect your position at the expense of the divine purpose, God will replace you, and you will be destroyed!”

You might wonder what makes me think I can speculate about what was going on inside Esther’s heart and mind. It is not only because of the context and the message Mordecai sends to her, but also because I see this scenario play out before my eyes every day in the West. Our comforts and conveniences have often made us complacent and indifferent to a dying world. We are often afraid to do anything that might disturb our cosy, pampered lives.

One man told me, “I can’t talk about Jesus at work because if I do, I will lose my job.” I’ve heard others say there are two topics they won’t discuss at work: politics and religion. But the gospel is not an optional topic of conversation best left out of the workplace. On the contrary, you have that job because you are a strategic part of a divine purpose that is larger than you are. It is God who gave you your job, and He gave it to you for a reason. If you aren’t willing to be a witness in your workplace, don’t be surprised if God takes your job and gives it to someone who is unashamed of the gospel. God is calling you into the ministry—even if He positions you in a “secular” occupation. Your calling is to propel God’s kingdom forward in whatever sphere you find yourself.

I’ve seen people drop hundreds of dollars at restaurants and on senseless entertainment, but when the offering plate goes around, they immediately begin to moan and complain. “All they do is ask for money in this church,” they say. And when they do give a few dollars to the Lord, they feel they have been very generous. But the money in our bank accounts is not ours—it all belongs to God to begin with. He is not only the source of all our provision, but He is also the One who has given us the ability to create wealth. God hasn’t blessed us so we can consume those resources on our own lusts and pleasures; He has blessed us so we can be a blessing. That is the reason we have those resources in the first place! If you aren’t willing to bless God’s kingdom with a cheerful heart, don’t be surprised if He takes those means and gives them to someone who will be a good steward.

If God has entrusted you with money, you must realise that you are not the terminus; you are a channel through which those resources should flow. Yes, when water flows through a pipe, the pipe also gets wet! When God’s blessings flow through you, you are also blessed personally, but never make the mistake of thinking you are blessed because you are so special or wonderful, intelligent or talented. As Mordecai said to Esther, “Don’t flatter yourself!” You are not any better than the poorest beggar in the lowliest gutter. God has not blessed you because He loves you more than anyone else. He’s blessed you for a purpose, and your fulfilling that purpose is not a side issue—it’s the reason you have those blessings in the first place! If you won’t do what God has called you to do, He will find someone else who will do it with joy!