This phrase essentially means "good luck". People will buy an idol of Buddha and whenever they need or want something they rub his belly so all their dreams will come true. Somehow this is supposed to transfer good luck onto the person rubbing when really it only transfers the germs of the last persons who rubbed the belly.
In the West we often say, "good luck" to each other when we're about to engage in an activity. Or we might say how lucky a person is for being in the right place at the right time. We might say that it was pure luck that some unfavored team won a professional sport game.
I wonder how Jesus feels about "luck" taking credit for his supremacy and sovereignty. When we don't say, "God be with you." instead of what we do say, "Good luck!" could this be considered a sin? I'm asking intrinsically. I say, "Good luck!" all the time. And I wonder if this is sinful on my part. I don't mean to become so caught up in rules that I can't speak. But I believe the Bible speaks about being held accountable for every word that proceeds from our lips even if its careless. Are my words justifying me or condemning me? Surely, bringing God praise is better than not. But by not bringing God praise am I condemning myself?
I have been covered by the Lamb's blood and I know he has forgiven even my unknown sins. But my desire in life is not to simply "get by" but to purposefully bring God glory through all my actions.
What is the definition of sin? According to the Bible, sin is ANYTHING that does not proceed from faith. Does saying "good luck" come from faith in God? I don't think so. It comes from culture norms that tell us saying "good luck" is the thing to do. But if we followed everything our culture tells us is ok, then I wouldn't have been a virgin bride, I would have lots of debt, I would gossip about my coworkers, I would have a car payment, I would have "waited" to have a baby, I would have bought a huge house for nothing down and a 30 yr mortgage. But my actions aren't supposed to be "ok" with society, they're supposed to be ok with God. He says to not be careless with my words, and to be purposeful in actions that proceed from faith. So maybe I should say, "good bye" to "good luck".
