“Reflections for Father’s Day” (Part Three)

In a generation, there has been a drastic change in the fathers we view on our TVs. Think of Ward Cleaver in Leave It to Beaver and Sheriff Andy Taylor in The Andy Griffith Show. Ward and Andy were steady, involved, and wholesome. Later, Archie Bunker arrived on TV screens with his show reeking of sarcasm and ethnic putdowns. Even later, Jerry Seinfeld’s father and his friend George’s dad were loud and obnoxious. So we have switched the TV off and no longer turn to the media for good role models. Thankfully, we can turn to our heavenly Father, whose example is always perfect.

In parts 1 and 2, we learned the value of affirmation and then next discovered the power of forgiveness. Now we want to think through the blessing of generosity.

There is a wonderful invitation to pray in Matthew 7:7. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened unto you” (nkjv). The words that follow the invitation and words of promise in verse 8 are now reinforced. They are strengthened by a contrast between earthly fathers and our heavenly Father. Earthly fathers do not play tricks on their children. Normal fathers never give a stone to their kids instead of a loaf of bread. No, his children are hungry. Only a deranged father would make the switch from bread to a stone, a snake for a fish, or a dangerous scorpion for an egg! Jesus uses these outrageous suggestions to make a point. Normal fathers give good gifts to their children. It is a part of being a good dad. What’s the application? “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” (7:11 tlb).

It is the argument from the lesser to the greater. With the limitations of our fallen nature, we still find it in our hearts to be generous gift givers to our children. Gary Smalley and John Trent offered much help to fathers when they wrote The Blessing. Calling upon the Jewish custom of standing behind the chair of children and speaking into their heart words of blessing, they reminded us of blessing with words. In Genesis 48, Jacob is a great example of this as on his deathbed he prophetically blessed his 12 sons. But it should go beyond words. Many of us can recall an unforgettable gift we received. As a graduation gift from college, I received a generous check from my father that enabled me to buy my first car. And through the years, I have tried to follow his example of generosity with our six children. Jesus told us that we know how to give good gifts. We just need to do it!