There are a couple of places in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus says incredible things about God, our Father. Three times in Matthew 6, Jesus says this: “Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (v. 4, 6, 18, NIV)
God promises good things to those who quietly, even secretly, go about doing what’s right and good. Giving to the needy in secret – rewarded! Praying privately – rewarded! Fasting quietly – rewarded!
God rewards those who follow him. Nothing could be clearer in the Bible. There is no good thing done that will not have its reward in heaven. Even a cup of water given to one of God’s children will be honored.
Our Father in heaven notices the good we do. He keeps track of our deeds. We will receive his “Well done” in paradise and enter into our Father’s happiness.
In Matthew 7 Jesus says more. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 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!” (Verses 7-11, NIV)
God is delighted when we ask for good gifts from him. When we ask selflessly for the things that will further his kingdom, he is glad to answer. Sometimes he gives us something better than we could’ve asked for, more than we could’ve imagined.
As imitators of God, dads, you need to follow his example. When you catch our kids quietly doing good things, you ought to reward them. Give their deeds the praise they deserve. Honor them with more responsibility than they expect.
When your kids ask for things that they need, do your best to meet those needs. Not spoiling them by meeting their whimsical wants and wishes, but caring for them by providing what they need. You ought to jump for joy when your kids ask you to meet their needs. It’s an opportunity to model God’s joy in giving good gifts to those who ask.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17, NIV)
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