Have you ever said to someone after they gave you a gift, “You didn’t have to do that.” I’m certain you have. And you have probably heard someone say that to you. Did you know that there is an economic principle that speaks to what you are experiencing…speaks to you why say that phrase? The principle is opportunity cost. The value of something is measured not just by what you paid for it. The value also includes the benefit and enjoyment you gave up by not spending that money in innumerable other ways. When someone gives you a gift, you realize they could have done an infinite number of other things with that money. I am convinced that in Luke chapter 12 when Jesus responds to the two brothers who are arguing over their presumed dead father’s estate, Jesus tells us that if we want to have rich feelings of affection for God, it’s going to cost us something…money. When we give voluntarily and generously to God, there is an opportunity cost we are assigning to God. Economics helps us understand the mystery of how we fall in love with God. Hearing that might make you feel uncomfortable. You might not like the idea of combining money and affection. Then let me invite you to listen to this sermon and prayerfully consider Jesus’ words from the text. I don’t believe God’s love for us is affected by our generosity, but I am convinced that my love for Him will not grow unless I give generously to the things that God loves.