by Tang Long Kin

Our Pastoral Team led by Pr Daniel is currently preaching on the Beatitudes. After listening to the 3rd Beatitude “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” I kept thinking about the opposite of “meek”. The term “kiasu” kept popping up in my mind. Can it be the opposite of “meek”? I made an online search for the word “kiasu” and was surprised that it exists. This is what it says:
 
Oxford Living dictionary defines “Kiasu” as: (of a person) very anxious not to miss an opportunity; grasping.
Wikipedia: Kiasu (Chinese: 驚輸) is a Hokkien word that means a grasping, selfish attitude.
 
Looking at the definition of the term “kiasu” it is not exactly the opposite of “meek” but it certainly is at the far end of “meek”. The attitude of selfishness and grasping stance without regards to others is certainly not meek.

Two days later Genesis 14:17-24 was my devotional passage. As I read and meditate on this passage the difference between “meek” and “kiasu” is even more glaring! This is what I wrote in my devotion and is now expanded for publishing and sharing.

Today’s scripture shows us another excellent example of a man of faith possessing meekness and what blessings it can bring to your family and all those around you. Looking back in history, after Lot took the best land and departed from Abram, he settled in Sodom. When Abram let Lot choose his choice of land, Lot did not have any regard for his uncle’s welfare and grabbed all the best land that he could seize. Despite that, Abram did not stop Lot but turned to God. God saw all that had happened and consoled him and then promised him that every inch of the land that Abram set foot on shall be given to him and his descendants as their possession forever.  Abram was not bitter about it because his focus was on God, not the worldly possessions. He knew who his God is. He has come a long way since God called him out of his homeland. His faith has grown over the years. In his early years, his faith was not very strong. He had to lie to the Egyptians that his wife, Sarai, was his sister fearing that they could kill him if she were his wife because of her beauty. Now that he grew in the Lord, he was meek to the extent of letting Lot take everything. But Lot was “kiasu” and so took all the good land.

When Abram was told that Lot & family were taken captives by the enemies, he risked his own life and the lives of his people and his possessions to rescue Lot and his family. It was recorded in the Bible (vs14) that he took 318 of trained men born in his house and pursued after the captors. These men were born in his house, meaning they are close and precious to him.  Abram could have let Lot remained a captive; after all he was not a nice nephew. But Abram bore no grudges as he walked the path of God. He immediately set off in pursuit of the enemy to recue Lot. After his victory over his enemies, of which I believe did not bring him personal benefits but to rescue Lot, he gave 10% of everything he had to God through the high priest, Melchizedek. When he had every right to take possession of the spoil of war, he remained humble and remembered the welfare of his men and his friends and chose not to take the spoil for himself. He gave all to his men and allies in the battle. Abram was very clear in his mind from where his wealth and power came. When the King of Sodom offered to give him everything, he declined saying that he did not want the king to take credit for his wealth. He knew his wealth and power came from the God Most High.  He showed high degree of loyalty in friendship. Once again meekness was shown here. What a man of faith Abram was. He never let material possession mould his character and God continually bless him materially. Abram was not “kiasu”. He was a man full of faith and meekness because he knew his God well.