Does $165 Say I Love You?
Don’t look now but Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and Americans have $165 to spend! That is what the average American said they would spend last Valentine’s Day on cards, candies, and flowers, all to say, I Love You.1. All those flowers wilted, the candy was eaten, and most of the cards were thrown out. Is it worth it? We would all probably say yes! Telling someone you love them is important, and sometimes giving a gift of love is a great reminder of our love.
Did you know that God loves us? Most of us know that. Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Christ is ultimately the first Valentine. He is God’s Valentine to us.
The amazing thing is that He did that, asking for nothing in return. Isaac Watts, the former slave trader who wrote the hymn Amazing Grace, wrote another classic hymn about God’s love for us entitled When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. Watts expresses amazement at the love of God in giving up His only Son for us through this great hymn. The last verse says it best…
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far to small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
This morning, as we focus on the offering, we give not to earn God’s love. God’s love is already freely given. We give to express our love and gratitude for His gift, the ultimate Valentine!
Leave a Reply