Jeremiah 21
Let’s begin with something totally Singaporean – which is worse, kiasu (a Hokkien word meaning ‘afraid to lose’) or kiasi (a Hokkien word meaning ‘afraid to die)? These two traits are often used to paint the ‘ugly Singaporean’ and account for his boorish, competitive and ungracious behavior.
Thus, it may seem that to be a better person, we should avoid both traits and instead be willing to lose out and be willing to sacrifice one’s life.
But, what if we are faced with a situation where we must choose one of the two: kiasi or kiasu?
Bible Passage: Jeremiah 21
God said to the people in Jerusalem which was besieged by King Nebuchadnezzar:
8 Now you shall say to this people, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death;
9 He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but he who goes out and defects to the Chaldeans who besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be as a prize to him.”
God was telling the people to give up their pride and national independence and become a slave by surrendering to the Chaldeans (Babylonians). He even advised them to defect, an act often seen as one of cowardice, because He knew that Zedekiah, the King of Judah, would rather fight than surrender – he did not want to lose, he was kiasu.
On the other hand, those who took God’s advice may be seen to be kiasi because their action would be a result of prizing their lives.
There are many verses in the Bible that attest to the supreme value of human life. In the Old Testament, Solomon wrote,
But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
Ecclesiastes 9:4
The Jews today have a salutation l’chaim (to life!) which explains the outlook and worldview of their much persecuted race. But our Lord Jesus reveals that the true worth of human life is in its everlasting soul,
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:26
There is nothing wrong with being kiasi if this fear turns us to God for our salvation. The people who listened to God’s message through Jeremiah acknowledged God’s sovereignty, swallowed their pride, and surrendered to the Chaldeans to save their priceless lives. We today should also frequently check if our life is healthy and our soul well in the Lord. We must also value the souls of those around us and speak to them the saving message of our Lord Jesus.
King Zedekiah and the other proud people who were bolstered by the messages of the false prophets were kiasu and preferred death to capitulation. Many athletes today take performance enhancing drugs because they want to win at all costs. A 2005 survey that involved more than 3,200 students in the USA found that 57 percent of steroid users said they would take these drugs to boost their athletic performance even if it may shorten their life!
If we are not afraid to lose out, there are many temptations in this world that will no longer be alluring to us:
Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
I Timothy 6:6
If we are always conscious of the precious soul that we have, we will fear losing it and gain everything eternal:
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:28