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OPM (Original Pinoy Mindset) Series: Utang na Loob (Debt of Gratitude). Utang na loob or Debt of Gratitude is defined as returning a favor in an acceptable manner.
The Pinoy Utang na loob culture originally dates back in the pre-hispanic times, in direct association to hospitality and gratitude, qualities which Filipinos are widely- known to possess. Sociologists say that 60% of our values is hinged on hospitality and gratitude. However, during the colonial times, because of the Filipinos’ need to survive, provide for their families, and as a means to get ahead, this culture has evolved into an extension of a favor to earn something in return.
There are two facets of Utang na loob: The Giver and the Receiver. The Giver expects something in return, while the Receiver is trapped with the feeling of wanting to return the favor.
The book of Ruth offers a different perspective on Utang na loob:
(Read Ruth 2:1-12.)
“Boaz replied, ‘I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband- how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge” Ruth 2: 11-12.
Naomi is the widow of Elimelech, a man from Bethlehem of Judah who went to live in Moab with his wife and children during a time of famine. Elimelech and his sons died, leaving their wives behind. Naomi traveled back to Bethlehem with Ruth, one of her daughters-in-law who was determined not to be separated from Naomi at all cost.
Boaz came from the tribe of Elimelech. He was a kinsman redeemer, a relative who would marry the widow of a relative. Naomi knew of Boaz’s relation to her husband and has sent Ruth to pick up leftover grain at one of his fields.
Boaz recognized the favor that Ruth has extended to Naomi (Ruth 2:16; Ruth 1:16), his response was “May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge” Ruth 2:12.
This means that:
- God will be the one to repay us when we are compelled to give. Boaz extended favor toward Ruth out of a heart of generosity.
- It is God whom we must depend on for trust, security, hope, and for our future and refuge. Boaz gave to Ruth without expecting anything in return.
“and lend to them without expecting to get anything back” Luke 6: 35b.
“So when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” Matthew 6:3.
When we do not have the biblical perspective of generosity, in our time of need, our tendency is to find our security in the people that we’ve helped instead of depending on our God.
Joseph made a mistake of depending on the cupbearer whom he had helped for his freedom from imprisonment and injustice (Genesis 40:14-15). He ended up spending two more years in prison.
“And be thankful” Colossians 3:15.
As Receivers, the bible urges us to always be thankful. However, we must learn to draw the line of thankfulness. If we are to compromise our values, belief system, sidestep legal, ethical, and moral boundaries, or if we are to thread in the line of sin, it is no longer being thankful, but a FALSE BURDEN (Genesis 4:27).
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” Luke 6:36.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” John 13: 34.
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” Proverbs 23:7 AMP.
Let us change our mindset on Utang na loob from Indebtedness to Gratitude. The good that we do to others must be a reflection of the good that God has done for us. As Receivers, we must understand that there are certain favors that cannot be quantified, and we leave to God to repay those who have blessed us, while we remain thankful.
WE MUST DEPEND ON GOD AND NOT MAN, WHETHER WE ARE THE GIVER OR THE RECEIVER.**
OPM (Original Pinoy Mindset) series: CRAB MENTALITY.“ For as he thinks within himself, so he is” Proverbs 23:7a (NASB).
A person’s mindset dictates the way he behaves. This behavior brings about actions which in turn, bring about consequences. Every mindset has its spiritual implication.
CRAB MENTALITY is a trait common of many Filipinos. This concept is a metaphor of a bucket of crabs usually found in wet markets wherein the crabs pull each other down and trample each other to be able to escape. Crab Mentality is an unfriendly competition among individuals that involves slandering, back-biting, and trampling on another to get ahead. It is a trait that dates back to the Spanish colonization wherein the Filipino Indios heavily depended on the favor of the Spanish Insulares and made ways to damage each other’s reputation to be able to step up.
The bible tells of the story of how an encounter with God has brought about the transformation of one of its greatest characters: Jacob.
The name “Jacob” literally means deceiver or supplanter (One who wrongfully holds the place of another).
The Stages of Jacob’s Crab Mentality.
- UPBRINGING.
When Jacob was born, his hand was grasping his twin brother Esau’s heel who came out before him (Genesis 25:26). This assumingly indicates that even from the womb, Jacob did not want his brother to get ahead.
Growing up, Jacob’s father, Isaac, favored Esau more than Jacob. Esau was a skillful hunter and was an outdoorsman, wherein Jacob, who was white-skinned and was more adept indoors, won the favor of his mother. This may have, somehow, brought about a mindset in Jacob that God’s resources are limited. - BIRTHRIGHT. Genesis 25: 29-34
The eldest son’s birthright gives him the authority to manage everything that the family owns. Jacob capitalized on Esau’s hunger and need for food to acquire for himself his brother’s birthright. - STEALING OF BLESSINGS.
When Jacob and Esau were still in their mother’s womb, the LORD said to Rebecca that there were two nations in her womb (Genesis 25:23). Instead of praying and hanging on to God’s promise, Jacob hung on to what man can give him. In connivance with his mother, Jacob tricked his father Isaac on being given him the blessings that was intended for Esau (Genesis 27:19-23).
The effects of sin are: Poverty and Greed. Poverty says, “I don’t have enough,” while Greed says, “I want more.”
THE TRANSFORMATION OF JACOB.
1.First Encounter with God (Genesis 28:12-16).
Jacob fled to Haran to escape the wrath of his brother, Esau. On his way to his uncle Laban’s house, God gave him a picture of heaven in a dream. Through the dream, God blessed him just as he had blessed Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 28:15).
Jacob’s perspective was changed. “When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, ‘Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it’" Genesis 28:16.
Many times, we are more conscious of what God is doing in other people’s lives that we miss out on God’s faithfulness in our own.
2.Second Encounter with God.
After the initial encounter, Jacob’s blessings followed him. He was blessed with a wife he loves (Rachel), he was blessed with children (Genesis 29), he was blessed with properties, and God appointed a time for the restoration of his relationship with his brother, Esau.
On his way back to his father’s house, a servant informed him that his brother Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men. Jacob was distressed, reminded of his past sins. God reminded him again of His promises in his life through another encounter (Genesis 32:24-28).
“Then the man said, ‘Let me go, for it is daybreak.’ But Jacob replied, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’ The man asked him, ‘What is your name?’ ‘Jacob,’ he answered” (Genesis 32:26-27).
Jacob wrestled with God. When God touched his hip, Jacob never walked the same way again. When Jacob uttered his name when he was asked, it was an act of surrendering to God, an admission that he has been doing things his own way.
In Genesis 46, God reminded Israel (Jacob) of his promises again. God acted on Jacob’s behalf. Ultimately, it is the faithfulness of God that will promote us.
CRAB MENTALITY VS GOD MENTALITY
1. Crab Mentality: Motivated by selfish ambition.
God Mentality: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
2. Crab Mentality: Damaging other people’s reputation.
God Mentality:“Consider others better than yourself” (Philippians 2:3b).
3. Crab Mentality: Born out of envy and jealousy.
God Mentality:“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the
interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).
HOLD ON TO GOD, NOT MAN. Crab Mentality is grabbing on to what man can do for you, but God-mentality is looking to what God can do for you.
“No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame. (Psalm 25:3)”
“The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:6).”
“Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Psalm 85:11-12.”**
