“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Matthew 7:11
I was 18 years old when I was in jail with an older man who took an interest in looking out for me. Since I was young and naïve, I longed for approval from others and was eager to accept his help. He’d offer me daily supplies that I didn’t have. He was generous. He seemed kind. I believed his gestures were purely of good will. However, I learned over time that his intention was to recruit me to join a gang.
The more I learned about what it meant to have God as my heavenly Father, the more I discovered that He is not like us. He is the Good Giver. He never gives with ulterior motives as evil men do. He welcomes us to come and present our needs. He promises to meet them according to His perfect will, no strings attached. He commands us to treat others with the unconditional generosity that He has shown us so that they can experience something of God’s love through us.
With this in mind, we can sing out to Him, “You’re a good, good Father/ It’s who You are/ And I’m loved by You/ It’s who I am” (Housefires Sounds, 2014).
The more I learned about what it meant to have God as my heavenly Father, the more I discovered that He is not like us. He is the Good Giver. He never gives with ulterior motives as evil men do. He welcomes us to come and present our needs. He promises to meet them according to His perfect will, no strings attached. He commands us to treat others with the unconditional generosity that He has shown us so that they can experience something of God’s love through us.
With this in mind, we can sing out to Him, “You’re a good, good Father/ It’s who You are/ And I’m loved by You/ It’s who I am” (Housefires Sounds, 2014).
Scripture Focus
Matthew 7:7-12
Insight
Lord, help me show someone else unconditional generosity today. Use my kindness to express Your great love as our Good Giver. Amen
Bible In A Year
- Exodus 21-22
- Psalm 36
- Mark 16