National Day Sermon 2012

Prime Minister Lee's version of "Love thy neighbor"!

“Singaporeans must show a generosity of spirit to one another, including new arrivals.”
On the theme of “Heart”, PM Lee urged Singaporeans to treat each other better, highlighting the need for more social enterprises and day-to-day interaction before the country loses its “kampong spirit”.

Raising examples of an increasing number of neighbours quarrelling over common spaces, parking lots – or worse, rallying together to oppose nursing homes and studio apartments in their district, PM Lee said that Singaporeans seemed to be getting “less patient, less tolerant, less willing to compromise in order to get along”. 

Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

Diversity

Unlike more homogeneous Japan, long held up as a gracious society, Singapore is more diverse. Norms and expectations vary. This will be a challenge as Singapore becomes more cosmopolitan.

Urban living

Unlike in the kampung, urban living is a lot less personal. People do not know their neighbours well. Because of the country's urban density, people feel the need to claim their own space.

The 'kiasu', me-first mentality

Singaporeans tend to be calculating, driven by tangible rewards rather than intrinsic ones.

'We use our grades, jobs and salaries to affirm who we are in the world, except for inner qualities like compassion. We're so focused on pushing forward and always being ahead, and one way of doing that is to ensure that someone else is behind or below us.'

Changing technology

New technologies may mean new forms of ungraciousness. People need to acquire cellphone courtesy and cyber-courtesy.

I remember having a neighbour who used to smoke along the common corridor. His action irriated my family as his cigarette smoke expose us to second-hand smoke and not to mention his LITTERing too. I choose not to confront him but approach this issue through prayer and wisdom. (I nearly scolded him...)

I came across the "I Quit" smoking campaign and decided to drop a phampet at his door. After several weeks later, I spotted him holding a smokeless nicotine cigarette (I am thinking is he trying to QUIT?) I regretted not being more friendly (Hi & Bye type of Neighbour), he has since shift out but I am really glad and thank God for his action (change) and solving my problem.
 
http://www.facebook.com/IQUITClub

Philipians 2:4, 'Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.'

Our love for Christ is only as real as our love for our neighbor.
Leviticus 19:18, 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.'

Double whammy of Christian women

Due to the fall of Man. Man has to work hard for the money whereas woman has to bear the pain of labor.

The Fall of Man (Genesis 3:16-19)
16 To the woman he said,
“I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing;
with pain you will give birth to children.
Your desire will be for your husband,
and he will rule over you.”
17 To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it,’
“Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat of it
all the days of your life.
18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field.
19 By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return.”

As the nation progress, woman becomes more educated and many head out into the workforce, earning a salary to help keep ends meet. Minister Chan mentioned about his new Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), Chun Sing: New ministry to focus on family http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20120803-363070.html

Family has a structure - head of the family is the Man, looking after wife & his children. As both working parents, the one that brings in the most $$$ tends to do more of the talking (decisions) the role of the "Man of the House" has changed significantly over the years.

When Mom Earns More Than Dad
From - http://dadsforlife.sg/fatherhood101/when-mom-earns-more-than-dad

Impact on Family Dynamics

Where a mom becomes the primary breadwinner, a dad can find himself facing big challenges. He will frequently feel like a pioneer, with no guideposts or references to look to among established social support structures – family members, friends, or even colleagues. This effectively leaves him on his own, to find his place and role in contributing to the welfare of his family.

Not knowing how he creates value for his family can cause significant stress for a dad. While the feeling is normal, the discomfort is very real. This discomfort can have some undesirable effects, such as resentment towards the situation (or worse, his wife), a sense of helplessness and isolation, and even unhealthy habits.

Dads, moms and the community at large need to understand this. Dads who are not the main breadwinners in their families can do with some help in appreciating and understanding their immense value as fathers, quite apart from what society recognises as the all-important criteria of provider.

The great mindset change

Contentment
Living within your family means (Can we live on only one pay?)

Sacrifices
Highly educated wife can forgo their career ambition to be a house wife?
Husband who can't command a higher salary, turns to be a house husband? The Pride and Prejudice that follows...

Lastly the focus on family (http://www.family.org.sg) helps the couple to set objectives on their life long directions. Support one another, Cell groups and Grand parents. Help is within reaching distance.

Life is worth the smile but if Man cannot even accept his new role within the family structure how successful can the Focus on Family movement be?

"Do not overwork to be rich" Proverbs 23:4, Our greatest riches are the riches we have in Christ through our family.