I used to be the chinaman of all chinamans. When I was
growing up in school, I wouldn’t even spend money on food for myself; much less
even think of belanja-ing others. I used to walk around in shoes taped up with
masking tape to prolong its already doomed lifespan. And this was not for the
lack of money, but the kiamsiap-ness in dealing with money.
But while I was teaching, (and it’s true that teachers’ pay
is really quite sad) there were plenty of my friends who were willing to take
me out and pay for my meals, out of the kindness of their hearts. And it was
not because I did something for them, or that they owed anything to me. I didn’t
complain to them saying no money (maybe to some), but it was a very voluntary
process on their part. And it wasn’t just food. The amount of things that
people have blessed my life with, from providing furniture and transportation
and all, it made me realize one thing:
The natural response when you have received so much love is
express that same love to others. I suppose that is why the Paying It Forward thing is such a
powerful movement. When you receive love, loving others becomes a very natural
response.
How do I know? I found myself going to JB to visit other
teachers, and the thought of belanja-ing the teachers there was something I
wanted to do. Wanted. Not like kena paksa or something. This coming from the
guy who would leech off free food whenever possible.
And I think it’s the same with our relationship with God. If
we truly believe that God has loved us so much, and we keep it all to ourselves
and not pass it on, then something has gone wrong somewhere.
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All the believers were together and had everything in
common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had
need.
