A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

"...how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?  Matthew 7:11 (KJV)

In this discourse, Jesus talks about bread and rocks, and then fish and snakes.  Here's Jesus' point:  a child may ask for these things that are commonplace in their culture, particularly for basic sustenance: bread and fish.  As a child aks for these things his parent would not give them something that is harmful in its place.

If a child wants a fish, the parent won't give the child a snake.  If your child wants a juice box, you won't give him or her a quart of motor oil  If your child wants toothpaste, you won't give him or her Elmer's glue.  A good parent is a responsible human being, who cares for those who are dependent on them.  This parent wants to help their child, not harm them.  So as a good parent enjoys and delights in their role of providing for those they love.  Yet Jesus said that God the Father, loves the role of fatherhood so much more and He is much better at it.  That is why Jesus says, "how much more will God provide for us and bless us with what we need and ask?

God the Father is perfectly holy, perfectly generous, perfectly loving, perfectly providing, perfectly righteous, and perfectly wise!  God will surely give us the gifts we need if we ask and seek and knock!

Adapted from:  https://fbcbartow.org/sermons/the-good-gifts-of-our-good-god-matthew-77-12/