The God of Prosperity

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

The prosperity icon, adorned with red long suit of the Qin Dynasty, with a black head gear flapping its two ends swayed to and fro the mall. The background was filled with the typical brassy Chinese music ushering in the Lunar New Year. He dipped into his red bag for freebies giveaway for the shoppers, usually some vouchers in ang pows (red packets). For many, he portrays the Chinese Santa Claus. Cai Shen, the Chinese folk hero has many versions of history. He was believed to lived a courageous and victorious life and later regarded as a god - supposedly the god of prosperity.

The lunar new year is an auspicious season. It is one filled with bright colours and noise. Yes, I mean NOISE. Joyful noise of every kind. Weeks prior to the celebration, the merry music ushers in the mood followed by busy preparations - shopping galore, and baking all sorts of authentic cookies. Before our days of modern shopping centers, my mum used to sew a lot of new clothes for relatives and friends months prior the celebration. Tailors would stop receiving last minute orders. People had to plan ahead and send their fabric in at least months before the new year and paid a handsome sum to get quality sewing and design. I got a good glimpse of this because Mum was a seamstress.

Chinese have many kinds of celebrations in a year and this is indeed the highlight of it all. Endless energy and resources are channeled into making it a real happy one as it marks the beginning of a new year which hopefully comes with new blessings and abundance. Blessings and abundance are inseparable with prosperity to the Chinese. These terms are synonyms. Although longevity and health are also important but a whole lot of emphasis is placed on wealth. No one can miss that when you hear the greeting, "Gong Xi Fa Cai" which means a wish for prosperity...and of course, the famous saying that follows is - "hong pow na lai" meaning bring forth the red packet. Money, money!

Every year approaching this season, I would catch myself humming and often singing to the tune of these happy songs. Music is powerful. As a child living in the heart of the Chinese community in the city, I picked up these songs and used to love them though I must confess I find it pretty noisy and irritating now. Nevertheless, unknowingly, I will sing, "Cai Shen tao, Chai Shen tao...Chai Shen tao wor chia ta men koa..." meaning (in Mandarin) God of Prosperity arrives, God of Prosperity arrives...God of Prosperity arrives at the main door of my home.

Oh dear, what was I singing?
Whom did I call upon?
Who is my God of Prosperity? The Qin Dynasty hero whom most Chinese adore?

I felt somewhat guilty for falling prey to the negative power of music (I say 'negative' because music has positive inspiration too). The true God of Prosperity had arrived at the door of my heart and walked right in the moment I received Jesus Christ. There were endless rules to learn in Chinese traditions which I was enslaved in. Despite the fact my parents were not really convicted of all the do's and don'ts but we blindly followed some to ensure we had a "good" year ahead. As a child, I had nothing to lose but everything to gain. New clothes, new shoes, ang pows, good food, and holiday packaged in the festive season. As I mature, I began to question a lot of these traditions which may seem to be clothed with aesthetic presentation like a must to buy new clothes and they must be red or similarly bright in colour. Behind the act, there is an enslavement to be pressured to buy new stuff to forget the past and have a good beginning. Maybe today it is mere excuse for us to satisfy our shopping compulsion. Then, there is the rule of the forbidden broom to be seen nor used even though the place is filthy. Lest the good luck is swept away. Firecrackers that are believed to ward off the evil spirits add to the air and noise pollution. The list is endless. People are trapped in anxiety and fear is instilled instead of rejoicing fully in the festivity.

The power of the Cross penetrates the entrapment of all these beliefs. It brings liberation. The Lord Almighty rules as the God of Prosperity....or should I say true prosperity. His blessings extend beyond the boundary of monetary wealth. Ephesians 1:3-14 is the seal of that promise with our covenantal God. We ought to rest in His covenantal promise of blessings instead of striving in our covetuos problem of believing in the myth of more. God's ultimate intention is to bless us but we are often caught in this unnecessary tradition to strive for blessing. He always plan to prosper and never to harm those who walk His way; and live a life of faith and trust in Him. He declares He knows the plans He has for us. He definitely knows! He is the Almighty who possesses All Wisdom and Power. In His wisdom, He grants us a hopeful destiny.

Traditions are important. They lead us to our roots and help us to appreciate our heritage. A lot of times we will find the fingerprints of our Father as we trace back our roots. However, what are some of the traditions in our life which bind us? Remember, the Lord has set us free.

In our quest and search for blessings, where do we begin our search? Where are we led to? Who is our source? Let us search our hearts and ponder on these questions.

The lunar new year provides a marvelous platform to emulate our God of Prosperity in giving generously and pronouncing blessings to the people we visit. For those of us at the receiving end, we receive gratefully.

Heavenly Father, In You, I rejoice and enjoy true prosperity. Thank You for the freedom and the seal of the Holy Spirit who gurantees me the inheritance of Your endless blessings. Let this festive season be an opportune time for me to be a channel of blessings as I receive my gracious portion from You. In Jesus' name. Amen.