Bishop Rev Dr. Hwa Yong quoted David Aikman, saying, "The Christian moral foundation of social cultural life was what made possible the emergence of capitalism and then the successful transition to democratic politics".
Bishop then touched on what transformation would involve. Saying there is much that we need to do, Bishop outlined the following points:
1. Christians must be committed to this country (Malaysia). What implications does this have for emigration?
2. How then shall we live? Bishop Rev Dr. Hwa Yong quoted 2 Peter 3 : 11f, saying:
-Good works
-Holiness and integrity in private and public lives
-Avoid dishonest gain; and resist and expose corruption wherever possible
-Get involved if God is calling you
3. Be prepared for the long haul.
Wilberforce's battle in the British Parliament took 46 years!
Bishop then put to the congregation two thought-provoking questions:
1. What plans do you have for your children?
"Bear in mind that, in history, a lot of movements started with the young people," Bishop said.
2. The power of prayers
Pray hard to let God use us to make Malaysia a better country!
The picture shows The Hoover Mission House and Hoover Square. Photo: David Ling
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8 comments:
The question. What plans do you have for your children ? There are many Methodist Christians in Sibu and the Methodist Church is one of the mainstream churches in Sibu. The other one being the Catholic Church. Some of the politicians are Methodists themselves. But are you all led by God ? Really, genuinely led by God ? Or money is the God ? Some Methodist Christians wear crosses and wear other things to give them additional protection. Is the Holy Trinity not enough ? Does one still need extra energy from some man made item ? Is the cross an idol ? Is the extra item an idol ? In fact, do all Methodists really, truely, genuinely believe in the Holy Trinity ? It is doubtful. So called Christian children behave so rudely with no basic manners, with such a negative, strange attitude, spoiled and does not know what she really wants. So called Christian parents serving in church but fail to teach their children the way God wants them to teach. So called love their children but in reality spoil their children like mad. So called good but compare with non Christian children, they fail to make the mark. No. We cannot expect too high an expectation. We cannot expect perfectness. Actually there is no such a thing as Christian children. These children have to know that they have to accept Jesus to become Christians. Just because their parents are Christians do not automatically make them Christians and grant them a place in heaven. At times, the more you pray, the more trials you face. Christian politicians who are Barisan Nasional members. What about Christians politicians who are not Barisan Nasional members ?
Thank you for your lengthy comment. Your points are noted. Herebelow is my response:
1. The Ten Commandments teach us: You shall not bow down to idols or worship them, for our Lord is a jealous God. Let's worship God and not material comfort.
2. Children of God should cast away all the charms. Cross reminds us of the salvation.
3.Salvation is personal. So bring up your children at their early ages to know God personally.
4.Pray hard for our politicians. How much have we done done to spread gospel to them?
Let me share with you 1 Thessalonians 5:11 : Encourage one another and build up each other.
I don’t think Rev Dr. Hwa Yong and Mr. David Aikman actually knew what they were talking about. Capitalism is driven purely by human greed and has totally nothing to do with Christian or any religious moral values. If the capitalists have any moral values like the Christians, Muslims or Buddhists, the current world economic crisis would have been avoided, sparing millions of people of unnecessary hardship and misery.
1. Capitalism is certainly not perfect. But it is by far the best system available to run our economy. Take a look at China and some other emerging markets.
2. Since the system is man-run, the outcome is dictated by human factors.
3. The present crisis erupted out of gross unregulation of the financial system in the rich nations (notably in U.S. ) and overstretching of credit. Let's not blame the fundamental principles of the capitalism.
4. In other words, if the capitalists had been more honest and moral, the present predicament would have been much less severe. The good principles of Christian morality have not been upheld.
5.It is inevitable for capitalist economies to get trapped in a cyclical trend of up and down. Let's pray hard to ask for God's wisdom to manage our system well.
It is wonderful to be able to share with you on this topic in this manner.
I cannot agree more with Konpunboyong that religious moral values are not only irrelevant but also totally incompatible with the freewheeling capitalism. Capitalism is,in fact, amoral, and that is why as a result of the recent world economic crisis, governments have to enforce new regulations to curb excessive greed in the capitalist economies. If the capitalists have any moral values, such measure would have been totally unnecessary, and Jesus Christ would not have said,“It is easier for the camel to pass through the eye of the needle that for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven.”
Communism, in many respects, is considered to be more moral than capitalism because of its altruistic concept that nobody should be too rich or too poor and everybody should be treated as equal. Communist ideology failed in China mainly because it was too altruistic and was unable to reconcile ideals with realities! It failed to recognise a very basic human nature: that we human beings are inherently selfish and greedy.If there are no personal incentives or rewards for hard work and innovative ideas, nobody except some rare species like Mother Teresa, will strive to do his or her best for the benefits of the masses.
Many believe that the best system that is more compatible with religious moral values and at the same time does not go against our basic human nature is Socialcapitalism, a‘child’born out of the marriage between communism and capitalism and who has inherited the best genes from both parents. LOL!!
On the point of relevance of Christian moral values to the capitalist world, Matthew 5: 13-16 spells it out clearly that Christians are the light and salt of the earth. This distates that the Christian moral principles are practical and applicable.
Thank you, Tony for your respond. I read the other comments with interest. Jesus told us to choose between God and money. In another words, it is either God as in God Himself totally in our lives or money god as in money being the god or the dominating decision maker. Zacchaeus was a tax collector and when he converted, he told Jesus that he will give back 4 folds of what he had taken from the people he taxed. That means no cheating and when one repents one has to give back the money. Who is a Christian businessman ? He is one who will not manipulate the prices. When he decides on a price, it stays the same until some other problems creeps up like ingredients getting costlier. Then, no cheating. His account must be transparent. He is not always talking about business and money. He will talk about Jesus to his clients which means that his business is also his ministry. His business is not illegal and he will not do business with fishy people. He relies on God to prosper his business. Jesus was very angry when people do business in the temple. The temple is a place of worship and our body is also the temple. In another words, business should not be mixed with one's relationship with God. In reality, it is not easy depending on God alone because while we do not have the time, He has. While we do not have the patience, He has. While we keep looking at the small picture, He is looking at a much bigger picture.
Anonymous, it is a tremendous challenge for Christians to live out Jesus Christ in the world of business. Let's all live by faith and be guided by God's teachings. May we all bear good testimony to God.
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