What's A Sparrow Worth?

Maybe it comes from growing up feeding horses, cattle, dogs, cats and a racoon, but when winter rolls around I get a lot of pleasure from feeding the birds. In fact, I don't just pick up a sack of wild bird seed and dump it in the bird feeders. I also buy black oil sunflower seeds and mix them with the other seed. Call me a softie, but during the recent ice and snow I made certain that the wild birds in my neighborhood did not go to the roost hungry.

With more than a little shame, I have to admit this was not always the case. As a youngster, I actually enjoyed getting out in the snow, spraying some starter fluid into the intake of the old diesel tractor and then hauling feed and hay to the livestock. Never were those cows and horses happier to see me than when I was their only source of food. But birds were another story. Sparrows were considered nothing more than a nuisance. When they started making too big a mess in our shop I would load the 22 rifle with rat shot, grab a flashlight and shoot the birds roosting in the rafters. The cats always seemed more than happy with me on those nights.

A long time ago I was teaching a Bible class and came to Luke 12:6-7 - "Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Etched into my memory is the discussion that ensued. I made the point that a sparrow is basically worthless and nothing more than a disgusting nuisance. I shared that as a boy I would shoot them from the rafters at night. It was then that one of our sweet ladies gave me a whole new perspective on this passage. She pointed out that this text does not say the sparrows are worthless. In fact, she considered everyone of them to be extremely valuable. This was my first encounter with an avid bird watcher. She was also a devoted bird feeder. Her point was well taken. Not one sparrow is forgotten before God.

It's amazing what happens to us when we begin to see our world through the eyes of God. I have no idea how many different kinds of birds enjoyed the bird feeders in my yard this week during a significant ice storm. Even the Sparrow Hawk that scattered the birds one afternoon seemed to appreciate my effort. But here's the amazing thing: God created every species of birds. His handiwork is seen in the perfect design of every living thing on this planet. Because of God, everything created by Him has value. But above all, you are His crowning creation. How valuable are you? So valuable that God would send His Son to redeem you. Yes, there's no doubt about it. It's amazing what happens when we begin to see our world through the eyes of God.