Are you a "Calculator"?

Today Pastor CK shared something with us which I felt it was really good.

He had a conversation with someone recently and they were discussing over some issues. Pastor CK shared about the people who used to love God, serve God, give into the Kingdom of God.. etc. But after a while, they got tired, and they measured the sacrifices that they had been making for God, but seemed that God did not bless them as much as they would hope for. Some people left, some leaders stepped down, some became lukewarm... they became not as fervent as before..

This person then said to Pastor CK, do you know what is the difference between Indonesians & Singaporeans? Singaporeans are so calculative. When they serve God, give to God, they measure how much God is blessing them in return, is it really worth serving Him and giving into His Kingdom? Is it really worth doing so much for God and investing so much time & energy into His Kingdom?

On the other hand, Indonesians give without expecting anything in return. They serve, they give out of a pure love for God and His Kingdom. They never measure how much God is blessing them in return. That is why God is raising more & more Indonesians to be millionaires & billionaires among the people and they continue moving forth serving God in a great measure & preaching the gospel everywhere!

Isn't it very true? How many people really love God & serve Him out of a pure love & a pure heart? After sowing for a while, they did not see the harvest in a way that they wish, and they conclude that a life without God is better, nothing to sacrifice & no one to be accountable to. Some went back to the lives they used to live, they think they are happier, but, are they really REALLY happier without God?

"Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!" ~ Ps 144:15

All along I always felt that Indonesians just have this hunger for God. This hunger that really sets them apart from the rest of the people. I do not know why. But this hunger is just so evident in their lives. I went for a mission trip with Serene to Tanjung Pinang in 2006. The hunger of the Indonesians just inspired & impacted us so much. The Indonesian translator we had in our team, his name is Bernard Ricardo. What a great brother he is. Humble. Servant heart. Serving God mightily. Great career installed for him here in Singapore. That is always how God works! Seek 1st the Kingdom, all things will be added!

At the end of the day, the point is, it is not a matter of which nationality you belong to.

It is really a matter of the condition of your heart.

Don't become calculative. Don't be a "calculator". God has created us to be people after His own image, not calculators or abacuses.

We can never out-give God.

God will never short-change us.

Develop fortitude. Have the patience to see His promises coming to pass.

Develop a right heart. You will realise that God is indeed very good and He really loves you, He still loves you and He will always love you.

I'm still proud to be a Singaporean. Ha... Let's be the new "Singaporean" that Pastor Tan had taught us. Amen!

Socially Responsible
Innovative
Nett Giver
Globalised
Advanced (thinking)
Problem-Solver
Opportunity-Seeking
Resilient
Educated
Adaptable
Nation Conscious