Have you ever watched the popular TV show “It’s
Showtime” hosted by Vice Ganda, one of the most influential and successful
celebrities in the country? If so, you may have witnessed the lively exchange
between him and the contestant that revealed a stark contrast between their
views on poverty and prosperity.
The contestant, who came from a poor family, said that
he was doing okay despite having a “less-fortunate” life. He said that he
wanted to work to help his parents, who could not afford to send him to
college. He also said that he was happy and content with his life, even if they
ate only once or twice a day.
Vice Ganda politely reminded the contestant that it
was not “right” to believe that it was “okay” to be poor. He also pointed out
that to think that being poor was okay was a wrong “mentality”. He stressed
that one should aspire for a better life.
Most likely unknown to both, the gist of the lively exchange depicted the typical divide between the two gospels that are prevalent in our society today: The Gospel of Prosperity and the Gospel of the Cross.
The Gospel of Prosperity, also called prosperity
theology, is a version of Protestant Christianity that originated in the U.S., but is now very popular in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It teaches that faith, positive thinking and
speech, and donations to the church will bring health, wealth, and happiness to
believers. It is also referred to as the “health and wealth gospel” or “name it
and claim it.” It equates wealth with goodness, prosperity with virtue, and
claims that they are always the will of God. Although the movement was not
necessarily Christian, they believe that human disorders, such as poverty, are
basically matters of incorrect thinking.
The Gospel of the Cross, on the other hand, is the
message that Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and rose again on the
third day according to the Scriptures. It emphasizes the necessity, the power,
and the glory of the cross of Christ, which brings forgiveness, reconciliation,
and salvation to us sinners who repent and believe. It also calls us to take up
our cross and follow him, which means to deny ourselves, to suffer for his
sake, and to live for his glory.
What are Vice Ganda’s “nuggets of wisdom”? They are
his pieces of advice or insights that he shares with his audience, based on his
own experience, worldview, and theology. Having the earmarks of the Gospel of
Prosperity, he said:
“Mindset. Mindset. Mindset.” (He referred to the
attitude or way of thinking which for him determines one’s success or failure
in life. If one has a positive mindset, one can achieve anything.)
“Huwag nating i-romanticize ang poverty.” (Let’s not
romanticize poverty.)
“Mahirap ako ngayon, mabuting tao ako. Pero tatakas
ako sa kahirapan. Maging mayaman ako, at maging mabuting tao pa din.” (I’m poor
now, but a good person. But I’m going to escape this poverty. I will become
rich and remain a good person.)
These “nuggets of wisdom” may sound appealing or
inspiring to some people, especially those who are struggling financially or
who are aspiring for a better life. What’s more, they may resonate with people that
value individualism, pragmatism, and upward mobility holding on to the promise
that anyone can achieve success through hard work and faith.
However, these “nuggets of wisdom” are flawed,
dangerous, and distorted from biblical, theological, and ethical perspectives. They
contradict the teachings of Jesus Christ, who warned against the dangers of
riches, who taught his followers to seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness,
and who called them to take up their cross and follow him. They as well ignore
the reality of suffering, which is part of God’s plan to refine and sanctify
His people. On top of that, they blame individuals’ lack of faith and effort
for their misfortunes, such as illness, poverty (like in the poor contestant’s
case), and persecution.
How does the testimony of the poor contestant (epitomizes the 14 million Filipino families self-rated as poor) contrast with
Vice Ganda’s “nuggets of wisdom”? It reflects the poor contestant's in-your-face reality, faith, and values. Having
the air of being an exponent of the Gospel of the Cross, he said:
“Galing lang po ako sa mahirap na pamilya… sobrang
nahirapan po ang magulang ko. Kaya pinili ko na lang po magtrabaho’t tumulong
na lang po.” (“I came from a poor family… My parents have gone through a lot.
That’s why I decided to work to help them.) This shows his high respect for his
parents by considering their financial situation and not wanting to add to their
burden. He conveys as well his sense of responsibility and self-sacrifice by
choosing to work instead of pursuing his further education.
“Kahit po mahirap, kahit po sa isang araw, isa o
dalawang beses lang po kami makakain, okay lang po. Masarap naman po mabuhay na
bilang mahirap.” (Though poor, though we eat one or two meals a day, it’s
alright. I am happy to live as poor.)
His words convey that he trusts God’s providence and plan for his life, even if he does not understand why he is poor. They express his gratitude and joy by being satisfied with what he has and not complaining about what he lacks.
The poor contestant’s words may sound naïve or
unrealistic to some people, especially those who are cynical or skeptical about
God. His words may also clash with the experience of suffering, which is common to
all people in this fallen world. They challenge the assumption that happiness
and success depend on material wealth and comfort. They offer a different perspective on poverty
and prosperity.
His words are also powerful, beautiful, and
faithful from a biblical, theological, and ethical perspective. They affirm the
sovereignty, holiness, and grace of God, who loved us so much that He gave His
only Son to die for us.
The two perspectives have different implications for
our society. Vice Ganda’s “nuggets of wisdom” may lead to greed, selfishness,
and indifference to the plight of others. They may also foster a false sense of
security and entitlement that ignores the reality of evil and social injustice.
The poor contestant’s testimony may lead to contentment, gratitude, and
solidarity with the sufferings of others. They may as well foster a true sense
of stewardship and responsibility that confronts the reality of social inequality.
As Vice Ganda flew away in his helicopter from the
ABS-CBN helipad, he left behind a stark contrast between his lavish lifestyle
and the humble reality of the poor contestant. I don’t know how the contestant
traveled to and from the TV studio, but I can imagine he faced the challenges
of public transportation and traffic congestion.
The difference between their modes of transportation
is a striking metaphor that reflects the disparity between their views on
poverty and prosperity. Vice Ganda’s helicopter represents his “nuggets of
wisdom” that promise wealth and success to those who have the right mindset.
The contestant’s use of public vehicle represents his testimony that expresses faith
and contentment in God’s grace and plan.
Which one would you rather ride? Which one would you
rather follow? Jesus words wave a red flag:
“The Gateway to Life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it.”
Have a blessed weekend everyone!
Content put together in collaboration with Microsoft
Bing AI-powered co-pilot
Head photo courtesy of Inquirer Entertainment
Video clips courtesy of YouTube
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