Counter-Cultural Finances

The question is this: Do your actions and attitudes around money reflect the world’s values or God’s?

The list below compares the world’s messages about money and possessions to what God’s Word says about the same issues. The two mindsets are like night and day:

• God is dead, and nothing—including what you do with your money—really matters.
• Keeping things brings blessing (Luke 12:19).
• The “DIY” philosophy: Do it all yourself because you’re on your own, and there’s no accountability.
• The goal of life is to get more—more money, more influence, more security.
• Wealth or success justifies pride (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
• If someone cheats you or steals from you, it’s okay to take revenge.
• You can own things.

Consider how Jesus did things. During his earthly ministry, he served the people around him, demonstrating a kind of love that changed lives. He also had a knack for challenging cultural attitudes about relationships and possessions. He was a revolutionary, both in his time and ours.

So, if we’re going to be followers of Christ, we have to learn from his example. We’ll do things differently than the secular culture might expect. That means replacing greed with generosity, exchanging disrespect for love, and being a counter-cultural giver of our time, care, and resources.

In light of all this, your financial choices are critical. First, your attitude about money reveals a lot about your heart. Second, how you handle money can be an example to others. They’ll see the blessings that come from honesty, faithfulness, and generosity.