Free Lunch and Dessert

DAY 4: THE GIVING NATURE OF A FATHER

God is not only the Owner of everything on earth, He is also the loving Father of all who believes in Him. In the same way that earthly fathers look after their children, He takes care of his children’s needs. “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him” (Matthew 7:11, NLT). It is in his nature to provide for his children.

How many of us have difficulty to accept gifts from our earthly fathers? I am sure that the answer is not many. We grow up in beautiful homes that our parents provide for us, we enjoy delicious meals cooked by our mothers without thinking twice about it, and we make birthday and Christmas gift lists without hesitation. Why is it so difficult then to accept the gifts from our heavenly Father?

We are not the only children who fail to understand our Father’s heart. In Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of a son who forgot about his father’s love for a little while. However, when the prodigal son eventually decides to return home, he encounters a true, loving father waiting for him with open arms, ready to lavish him with gifts. “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began” (Luke 15:22-24, NLT).

Let us embrace the marvelous fact that we are rightful heirs and children of God by enjoying the gifts that He gives us from his Father heart.

Scripture readings:

Matthew 7:7-11

Luke 15:11-32

Matthew 6:19-34