Lately, one student asked me this through email:
"Sir, as a Christian Lecturer, what is your view of Wealth and Free Capitalism?"
Here are my reply:
“The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” Paul (1 Tim. 6:10)
“Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . . . For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.” Jesus Christ (Matt. 6:20-21)
“I have heard confessions to every kind of sin—except covetousness.” A Catholic priest.
There are rich people in the Bible: Job, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were all rich. So, later, was Solomon. The Bible teaches that it is not the amount of our wealth that matters but the way we get it, how we use it, and our ability to sit lightly to it. Paul explains (1 Tim. 6:6-9, RSV):
There is great gain in godliness with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world; but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich will fall into temptation, into snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
Again Paul says to Timothy (vv. 17-18),
As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches but on God who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous.
Practicing Christians are likely to be richer than their neighbor. We are taught to work harder, be more trustworthy and responsible, and develop our talents to the full; we are not to gamble or waste our money on conspicuous consumption—it would be odd if all this did not put us ahead.
But Christians are wary, believing that no system, however good, can stay uncorrupted. The Bible has warnings and safeguards against economic power. We must always remember its warnings and who benefits from the freedom to do as they like, and who, if there are no safeguards, will suffer.
Although the economic background to Bible times were very different from our own industry society, but the Bible does lay down some quite sharp guidelines regarding economic activity. The laws were clearly aimed to pass down the capital (the land) of each family intact from generation to generation, and the laws were totally opposed to the accumulation of that capital by the rich and powerful. The legal instrument was the Law of jubilee. Every fifty years, the family farm had to go back to its original owners, and the debts run up in hard times had to be cancelled. Land was the capital of an agricultural society, and the rich were not free to corner it, adding “house to house and . . . field to field.” (Isa. 5:8).
So the biblical model was family capitalism. The family’s independence was to be protected against the state. Naboth was entitled to oppose King Ahab’s demand for his vineyard, and God punished Ahab for seizing it. Other prophets attacked the rich for using their wealth to buy off the judges and rulers. Moving to the New Testament, we find James telling Christians not to give undue deference to the rich, for “Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?” (James 2:6).
Nowhere in Christians Scriptures, OT or NT, is there any support for an open-ended capitalist system in which the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. The ideal is a society in which each family is under its won vine and its own fig tree (1 Kings 4:25; Mic. 4:4, Zech. 3:10).
Any system should be judged by its results:
1. Is it fair between citizens?
2. Does it give equality of opportunity to earn a living?
3. Does it protect us against exploitation by the rich and powerful?
12 July 2006
10 Myths about Examinations
Myth No. 1: Revision based on “Tips”
Many students start their revision based on hearsay, tips or guidance and thought that will be enough.
Fact: The scopes of the examination are based on the subject syllabus, lecture notes and tutorial questions. Therefore, student should first arrange their lecture notes and tutorial questions base on the subject syllabus, and their revision according to the syllabus, not base on tips!
Myth No. 2: “Spot” past year questions will be enough
Many students will take out the past year questions and spot the popular questions and concentrate on these selected questions.
The fact is: spotting questions may lighten the revision load, but the percentage of getting it all correct is very low. Spot question will reduce your chance of getting good result, if you missed it, then instead of getting 4 A, you will get F 4!
Myth No. 3: No time already, sleep a few hours will do
Because of fear of no enough time to prepare, students choose to sleep a few hours only.
The fact is: If you have no enough sleep, you will lose your concentration, you will be physically weak, the less you sleep, the less you read…many problems will come!
Sleep well, eat well and study well!
Myth No. 4: Take 3, Drop 3
Many students will have this idea of too many subjects to handle and decided to concentrate on some paper and drop the others.
The fact is: If you manage and arrange your time properly, you can score and pass all subjects!
Don’t give up any subjects!!
Myth No. 5: Answer base on instinct or what people called “sixth sense”
When come to exam question, a lot of people will quickly answer after a quick glance without proper planning.
The fact is: Answer question without proper understanding and planning will lead to an unorganized answer given.
Read the questions carefully and understand it thoroughly before answering it.
Myth No. 6: The longer I write, the better my answer!
Some students the longer the answer the better and the chance to score good marks is higher.
The fact is: Straight to the point! Elaborate and explain your point with a few sentences. Write short and precise answer with some explanations or elaborations.
Myth No. 7: My handwriting is “like this”, the examiner can understand my writing one!
All this years, my handwriting is like this, how to change in such a short time?
The fact is: If you or your friend cannot understand what you have written, then don’t expect the examiner do.
Write clearly!!
Myth No. 8: Checking my answer? No enough time already!
I don’t even have enough time to finish my answer, where to find time to do final checking?
The fact is: 2 hours examination, 4 questions to answer, and how many minutes for one question? 30 minutes? No! The answer is 20 – 25 minutes. What happen to the balance of 5 – 10 minutes? Read and plan your answer (2.5-5 minutes) and CHECK the answer (2.5 – 5 minutes)! 5 minutes is all you need to make sure your answer the question!
Always check your answers!
Myth No. 9: Time is not important as long as I can finish the questions
I don’t need time management or allocation for each question as long as I can finish doing all the questions.
The fact is: if the time allocated for each question is not balance, some question was spent too much time, some questions too short a time, then don’t expect high mark from question that took up longer time. If each question carries 20 marks, a question that is answer with one-hour time will get the same marks with question that was answered in 20 minutes: 20 marks!
Allocate your time properly for each question!
Myth No. 10: Exam time, no more exercise, no more entertainment!
Study, study, study and study!
The fact is: Some exercise and entertainment will release your pressure, tension and relieve your mind.
Relax…..enjoy the examination!
Many students start their revision based on hearsay, tips or guidance and thought that will be enough.
Fact: The scopes of the examination are based on the subject syllabus, lecture notes and tutorial questions. Therefore, student should first arrange their lecture notes and tutorial questions base on the subject syllabus, and their revision according to the syllabus, not base on tips!
Myth No. 2: “Spot” past year questions will be enough
Many students will take out the past year questions and spot the popular questions and concentrate on these selected questions.
The fact is: spotting questions may lighten the revision load, but the percentage of getting it all correct is very low. Spot question will reduce your chance of getting good result, if you missed it, then instead of getting 4 A, you will get F 4!
Myth No. 3: No time already, sleep a few hours will do
Because of fear of no enough time to prepare, students choose to sleep a few hours only.
The fact is: If you have no enough sleep, you will lose your concentration, you will be physically weak, the less you sleep, the less you read…many problems will come!
Sleep well, eat well and study well!
Myth No. 4: Take 3, Drop 3
Many students will have this idea of too many subjects to handle and decided to concentrate on some paper and drop the others.
The fact is: If you manage and arrange your time properly, you can score and pass all subjects!
Don’t give up any subjects!!
Myth No. 5: Answer base on instinct or what people called “sixth sense”
When come to exam question, a lot of people will quickly answer after a quick glance without proper planning.
The fact is: Answer question without proper understanding and planning will lead to an unorganized answer given.
Read the questions carefully and understand it thoroughly before answering it.
Myth No. 6: The longer I write, the better my answer!
Some students the longer the answer the better and the chance to score good marks is higher.
The fact is: Straight to the point! Elaborate and explain your point with a few sentences. Write short and precise answer with some explanations or elaborations.
Myth No. 7: My handwriting is “like this”, the examiner can understand my writing one!
All this years, my handwriting is like this, how to change in such a short time?
The fact is: If you or your friend cannot understand what you have written, then don’t expect the examiner do.
Write clearly!!
Myth No. 8: Checking my answer? No enough time already!
I don’t even have enough time to finish my answer, where to find time to do final checking?
The fact is: 2 hours examination, 4 questions to answer, and how many minutes for one question? 30 minutes? No! The answer is 20 – 25 minutes. What happen to the balance of 5 – 10 minutes? Read and plan your answer (2.5-5 minutes) and CHECK the answer (2.5 – 5 minutes)! 5 minutes is all you need to make sure your answer the question!
Always check your answers!
Myth No. 9: Time is not important as long as I can finish the questions
I don’t need time management or allocation for each question as long as I can finish doing all the questions.
The fact is: if the time allocated for each question is not balance, some question was spent too much time, some questions too short a time, then don’t expect high mark from question that took up longer time. If each question carries 20 marks, a question that is answer with one-hour time will get the same marks with question that was answered in 20 minutes: 20 marks!
Allocate your time properly for each question!
Myth No. 10: Exam time, no more exercise, no more entertainment!
Study, study, study and study!
The fact is: Some exercise and entertainment will release your pressure, tension and relieve your mind.
Relax…..enjoy the examination!
8 July 2006
My Home, My Haven...
Just a little reflection to share with you:
Mark Hatfield, a retired US senator once said this: “The home is the toughest environment of all for leaders.” Being a father of three, I really agreed with him. Why is it the ones we love most are the ones we are most impatient with?
My wife often said to me, “I wish you were as patient with your children as you are with your colleagues, students, brothers & sisters in-Christ.” She’s right. She reminds me that I’m accountable to God and to my family, and I’m grateful to that. Especially now with the new appointment as programme supervisor in the SBS, TAR College, and with many existing roles and responsibilities to be fulfilled both in the Church as well as preaching/sharing engagement in many places.
I think the greatest problem is our allocation of time, whether or not we let our professions exclude time with our families. If our lives are going to be given only to our professions, then better we had remained as Paul said, unencumbered by marriage and family. But if we do decide to marry and have a family, I am thoroughly convinced one has to set priorities as follow: First, God; second, our families; and third, our professions, and if we put our jobs anyplace higher than third place, we have our priorities askew.
I’ve tried to communicate with my wife and boys (excluding Joyce, 9 months++, but is also learning very fast to stop me every time I’m going out :-) that no matter how busy I am, I am always accessible to them. We need to communicate that verbally but also by our actions. By God grace, I’m still learning and progressing well...
“By profession I am a soldier and take pride in that fact. But I am prouder—infinitely prouder—to be a father.” – Douglas McArthur, American five-star general, World War II.
The Months of July till October will be hectic for me as usual but the following sharing engagements need your prayer support the most:
1. Sharing on Sunday service at Bountiful Grace CMC, Seremban every second Sunday of the month from July—October, i.e.: 9/7, 13/8, 10/9, & 8/10. I will be exploring the following topic with the church—Biblical Stewardship of Money and Wealth Management.
2. Sharing on Sunday service at MCMC, 16/7 on “Leadership”
3. “Student Camp”, 5-6 August at Riviera Bay Resort, Melaka with boys and girls of the 2nd Melaka Company, BB (Sungai Rambai CMC) on “How to excel in your Study”
4. 12 August: Methodist Adult Fellowship (MAF), Sri Petaling CMC on “Jobs vs. Ministry.”
Your prayer support are very much remembered and appreciated.
“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
I am excited about your participation!!
Mark Hatfield, a retired US senator once said this: “The home is the toughest environment of all for leaders.” Being a father of three, I really agreed with him. Why is it the ones we love most are the ones we are most impatient with?
My wife often said to me, “I wish you were as patient with your children as you are with your colleagues, students, brothers & sisters in-Christ.” She’s right. She reminds me that I’m accountable to God and to my family, and I’m grateful to that. Especially now with the new appointment as programme supervisor in the SBS, TAR College, and with many existing roles and responsibilities to be fulfilled both in the Church as well as preaching/sharing engagement in many places.
I think the greatest problem is our allocation of time, whether or not we let our professions exclude time with our families. If our lives are going to be given only to our professions, then better we had remained as Paul said, unencumbered by marriage and family. But if we do decide to marry and have a family, I am thoroughly convinced one has to set priorities as follow: First, God; second, our families; and third, our professions, and if we put our jobs anyplace higher than third place, we have our priorities askew.
I’ve tried to communicate with my wife and boys (excluding Joyce, 9 months++, but is also learning very fast to stop me every time I’m going out :-) that no matter how busy I am, I am always accessible to them. We need to communicate that verbally but also by our actions. By God grace, I’m still learning and progressing well...
“By profession I am a soldier and take pride in that fact. But I am prouder—infinitely prouder—to be a father.” – Douglas McArthur, American five-star general, World War II.
The Months of July till October will be hectic for me as usual but the following sharing engagements need your prayer support the most:
1. Sharing on Sunday service at Bountiful Grace CMC, Seremban every second Sunday of the month from July—October, i.e.: 9/7, 13/8, 10/9, & 8/10. I will be exploring the following topic with the church—Biblical Stewardship of Money and Wealth Management.
2. Sharing on Sunday service at MCMC, 16/7 on “Leadership”
3. “Student Camp”, 5-6 August at Riviera Bay Resort, Melaka with boys and girls of the 2nd Melaka Company, BB (Sungai Rambai CMC) on “How to excel in your Study”
4. 12 August: Methodist Adult Fellowship (MAF), Sri Petaling CMC on “Jobs vs. Ministry.”
Your prayer support are very much remembered and appreciated.
“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
I am excited about your participation!!
3 July 2006
CK turned 37 today :-)
(Photo takens in MCMC)Today, I turned 37 and tot for someone as old as me, I would not have any special celebration for my birthday. U know, guy mah, the most is 2 eggs + "mee-sua", that's all. But to my surprise, I reveived a lot of blessing from my loves one including you! Very touching leh....
So, to all of you who sent me your blessings (sms/emails/calls) and who came (church & home), thank you very very much, you are such a good friends and families too. May God bless you abundantly, click here and here to view my appreciations. Enjoy!
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