People joke about their poor upbringing. My family was so poor, we used to go to KFC just to lick other people’s fingers. My family was so poor we didn’t eat Special K breakfast cereal, but only ordinary k with a fork to save on milk. My family was so poor we only had a calendar to use as toilet paper. Now those days are behind me. My family was so poor, if a burglar broke into our home all he got was practice.
We don’t know poverty. The poor widow – she knew poverty. Within the temple in Jerusalem Jesus saw her drop two copper coins (which make a penny) into the offering box. Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43-44)
It’s all counterintuitive? Intuition is how we understand our predicament without much thinking, and then acting upon common sense. If you are poor – truly poor, you don’t give away what you need to survive.
And yet, Jesus is our King of counterintuitive acting. “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him has your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” (Mt 5:39-41)
Our Savior is calling us to be counterintuitive, and it extends beyond a trust that God will provide. Counterintuitive thinking and acting is prompted by the Holy Spirit, because it is God’s intent that we would be like His Son, agents of His desire that people would turn from their brokenness to receive His love and mercy. In being counterintuitive we reject what the world thinks, to care as our Savior would, and still does – but through whom? You and me.
St. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” (2 Corinthians 9:6) Now, there isn’t anything counterintuitive in any of this. Whether seeding 160 acres or planting cucumbers in the back yard, we know, plant a little – get a little, plant a lot – get a lot.
Sowing becomes counterintuitive – when you have a need. If you have need, plant a seed. Need some time, give time away. Need some love, give love away. Need more affection, be affectionate. Need a laugh, tell a joke. Need peace, be peaceful. Need support, reach out to help someone.
When we choose to be counterintuitive we rebel against our fallen nature. In our fallen nature we view life by what we do not have in sensing a need, to meet a need. But, by planting a seed when we see a need, the Holy Spirit wakes us up to see – that we have it in us to give.
Jesus speaks to us in what is true and counterintuitive. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)
Jesus brings us to a dilemma. “Will you be counterintuitive? Will you act in faith in trusting me? Will you be my agent of love and mercy?” Perhaps, He’s asking you to take a step you have never taken before. This is a road you have never traveled. But, when you take that step, God will show up in amazing ways. Like the poor widow who dropped into the temple treasury all she had to live on, her well-being was met. Someone in their need planted a seed in her life.
You have it in you to give. You go forward with a promise fulfilled. St. Paul wrote to the church in Philippi: “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (4:19) He meets all your needs, running over and poured upon your lap. You are blessed to be counterintuitive, to give whenever you feel a need. Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus. •
— By Pastor Neil Stern
St. Peter’s Lutheran, Leduc AB