The word Counterculture is a sociological term used to describe the values and norms of behavior of a group that run counter to those of the social mainstream of the day.
I’m not countercultural enough. God has called me in Romans 12:2 to not conform to the patterns of this world, but to be transformed. Literally I have permission from God to rebel against this world. One of the ways I can rebel against my flesh and this world is through my giving. I give a lot of myself to many things. I give my time, I give my talents, I give my opinions (sometimes when there not wanted); but when I give my money I feel that I’m giving the ultimate combination of all these things.
My flesh says that when times are tough that I should save, my flesh says that when times are good I should store up, and ultimately the world around me confirms that I should be looking out for myself alone. But Jesus said that that kind of saving and storing was a waste.
In the Parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12, Jesus tells us the story of a man that had too much grain, and his genius solution was to build bigger barns to put it all into. But when he was finished he died. Jesus points out the irony of this man’s situation when he asks, “Who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”
Jesus was the ultimate counter-cultural revolutionist! He is telling us to NOT be like the world with our money, and with our giving. He is calling us to live a life that goes beyond saving up for that raining day, or giving when it benefits us. I love what he says in summary of this great parable.
The God-Reality that Jesus speaks of says that it is better to give than to receive. That God-Reality says if we give that he will give us blessings that we have not room enough to receive.
I’m not interested in getting into a discussion of whether the TITHE is something legitimate or something to be ignored as New Testament believers. There are some great people on both sides of that fence, but I think we could all agree that Jesus has called us to give. I am making a promise today that I will give out of rebellion towards the world, and out of a desperation to make the God-Reality your reality!
