When many think of love, they see the commercialized vision of Valentine's Day: roses, candy, candle-lit dinner and sparkling jewelry. Unfortunately, such an image creates another thought in my mind - dollar signs! Love is not measured by the size or cost of gifts. Rather, Paul uses different metrics of measurement in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 - long suffering, kind, not envious, doesn't behave unseemly, not easily provoked, thinks no evil, rejoices in truth, bears all things, hopes all things and endures all things.
As Solomon and Paul point out, wealth or cost of gifts is not a measure of love. Rather, it is a measure of how much we give of ourselves to others. Paul's description challenges me in verse 7 with the fact that it is not a matter of convenience. Rather in ALL things, love bears, hopes and endures. What a perfect image of Christ - he loves us always, no matter what.
Can we say the same of our love for our spouses and children? Do we love them no matter what? Have we demonstrated our love in action vice gifts? So, instead of the fancy dinner tonight, why not serve up a simple meal with heaping servings of true love? Listen, share, care and prayer. Everyone will leave the table satisfied with a smile on their face!
