Besides eating and drinking, the Chinese also like to become rich. So a common greeting during Chinese New Year is, “Gong Xi Fa Cai (May you be prosperous)!” As Christians, we also want to get rich. It is no sin to become rich, but it is a sin to covet riches, because that is the root of many evils.
The God who owns the universe also wants to say to you, “Gong xi fa cai!” God also desires your prosperity. He says,
“Be prosperous through Jesus: Gong xi fa cai!”
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Cor 8:9) And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Cor 9:8)
From the context of these verses, the riches and blessings mentioned are related to money. In other words, Jesus Christ was once rich, but became poor for you and me, so that we may become rich as God showers many blessings upon us. God has already given you the biggest ang pow, the red envelope: the Lord Jesus Christ. You are prosperous!
Today you are rich. You have received God’s biggest red envelope. You have received many riches, because of God’s grace.
The Chinese members of SCAC were once poor. Over a hundred years ago, they came to Sarawak, building their lives from nothing. But by believing in Jesus and receiving God’s blessing, today we are prosperous and rich. I met a brother who was doing small business when he first became a believer. But as he trusted in Jesus, God blessed him so that he grew wealthy. His business soon extended to all Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei, even to West Malaysia.
Brothers and sisters, God has already told you, “Gong xi fa cai!” You have already prospered. Since you have prospered, what should you do? God wants to say to you, “Bring the red envelopes!” (红包拿来 Give me ang pow!)
Prosperity is for offering: Give me ang pow!
When you became rich, God said, “At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality.” (2 Cor 8:14)
Equality is the spirit of our church’s pooling system. Your riches can help the poor people and churches, so that everyone is equal. In the future when they are rich, they will in turn help you! For example, today you help the indigenous peoples in need. One day as they become leaders in Sarawak, they can in turn help you. In fact this has already happened. So when you bring the red envelopes, you are also helping your own future, even protecting your descendants so that they too may have red envelopes.
John Wesley also says to you, “Gong xi fa cai! Give me ang pow!” because he says, “Earn all you can, save all you can.” But his third phrase is “Give all you can!” Giving all you can is to bring the red envelopes!
Our church also says to you, “Gong xi fa cai! Give me ang pow!” because the Annual Conference needs your new year offering, Easter offering, thanksgiving offering, membership offering etc. Even though the AC has plenty of leftover offerings, we have already planned for this money to be used on people and ministries in need. Like the God who owns the universe, we are rich, but we still need everyone to continue to offer, even those without a lot of money. As 2 Cor 8:1-4 tells us, the poor Macedonians gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability!
Besides the Annual Conference, the local church also needs your offerings. Whether for building fund, general fund, missions, evangelism, social works etc, they all need your generous offerings. As you bring your red envelopes, you are helping yourself and your descendants. I know some churches that work hard in offering to AC, to missions, to local churches. They set a good example for everyone.
Brothers and sisters, when you work hard to offer and give, God’s promise is “to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Cor 9:8). God will give you more ang pows, so that you can give even more ang pows.
Gong xi fa cai, give me ang pow!