On the topic of 'Kiasu' again, I was reminded about a Bible passage, Mark 9:33-35.
33They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" 34But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
35Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."
Why do we always want to be first? Can't we just be a servant?
Another passage, Mark 10:35-45
The Request of James and John
35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."
36"What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.
37They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."
38"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"
39"We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."
41When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
So, any thoughts?
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4 comments:
I'd agree with you on kiasu-ism. We had a parents-teens dialogue once and the parents were telling the children they should compete to be first in class 'for your own good'. Having competed for position all my studying life, I'd disagree - it tends to foster an "I must win at all costs even at your expense" spirit.
when asian ppl leave their country..they shd assimilate and rid this stupid singaporean kiasu-ism!! and asian parents shd guide but not control w kiasu attitude - always comparing their kids to every other persons kids....which fosters these kids to grow up money hungry, super kiasu, always showing off to be the best in materialistic ways and such. it's rather disgusting in my opinion. all these ppl w kiasu in them shd learn to be less materialistic and such, more humble and let God teach them humility. :)
It's noting wrong to try to do the best. I think Jesus is looking for FAITHFUL servants first. If you're faithful to what ever that you are doing, naturally you will try your best. If you are the best, when you do a job, you may not try your best to do the job. I think the root of kaisu-ism is low self esteemed. The only cure to this is to have God esteemed, i.e. ‘well done, good and faithful servant!!!’
I also think that the Kiasu has nothing to do with which country you came from, Asia, Europe or anywhere else. Fear of losing is in everyone.
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