By Not Known
“Crazy Rich Asians,” a Warner Brothers adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s best-selling novel has taken the world by storm since its premiere in mid-August. In 3 weeks, the film has become the most successful Hollywood studio romantic comedy in nearly a decade at the U.S. box office, topping the charts for the third weekend in a row, already raking in an estimated total of USD 117 million. Amidst its many themes are the extravagant lifestyles of the rich and famous in Asia, the importance of traditional family values, pedigree, connections and being part of the “in” crowd. One major theme is that of “inheritance” (or “old money”), in which the male protagonist is essentially modern day royalty, primed from a young age to take over his father’s legacy – his business, possessions, and family name. Watching and reading interviews done with the author, it is apparent that much of his novels were based on personal experience as well.
Tugging at the heart of the movie is the need to be known. As one writer puts it, “The premise of the movie is precisely that the glamorous, quantifiable, visible nature of one’s life is what determines a person’s worth.” In Singapore, we typically consider the people that have the “5 Cs” (cash, credit card, country club, car, and condominium) to be blessed. For many, young and old, isn’t this the age-old struggle and yearning towards fame and fortune, focusing our lives, time and efforts on appearance, affluence, accolades and achievements?
The Bible tells us, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ … In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us” (Eph. 1.3-8).
Lest we forget, when we became Christians, God lavished on us the extravagant riches of His grace, and blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. What are these spiritual blessings? Firstly, He has redeemed us and forgiven our sins (by His death on the cross). Secondly, God has adopted us as His children. Thirdly, we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us as a seal and deposit . And lastly, we have a promised eternal inheritance in heaven awaiting us.
Do I count it my riches to be known by the King of heaven, my Father God, and have been brought into His family as His child and a co-heir with His Son, Jesus Christ? When we recognise whose family we belong to, perhaps we’ll start really living as children of the One who owns everything in heaven and on earth. We have in our possession, conferred onto us as believers, the fullness of God’s power and provision for everything we need for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3-4). In Him we find all identity, security and significance to live the craziest and richest lives possible. That is true privilege. We are crazy rich Christians.