Good parents love their children, unconditionally. They would do almost anything for them. They give their children want they can afford to give. They provide for not only their children’s needs, but also many wants. And, they do all of this even though their children sometimes misbehave and are ungrateful.
Children are not shy about asking their parents for the things they want. They ask, we say no. They do not let the initial “no” deter them, so they keep on asking. Over and over and over until they wear us out. So we give in and give them what they want. This is because we love our children, and we want to see them happy.
Jesus said the below in which He encourages us to keep asking. Unlike us earthly parents, who want our children to stop asking when we say no, God is encourages us to keep asking.
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 NLT
God instilled in us a desire to love and protect our children. He gave us parental knowledge and skills to provide for our children. In that way, God’s desire for parents is to mimic how God the Father parents all of us.
God the Father, loves us, protects us, provides for all of our needs, and gives us many of our wants. Even though we have done nothing to earn such treatment, He still does this for us. In short, He takes care of us, even though we don’t deserve it.
“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 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 7:9-11 NLT
However, good parents do not spoil their children. They provide for children’s needs, but are selective when providing for wants. Parents should not foster an attitude of entitlement within their children, by giving them everything they ask for. And, parents should not provide something which is not good for their children, no matter how badly their children want it.
God is the perfect Heavenly Father. He knows how to protect us, how to provide for our needs, and gives us many of our desires. He also doesn’t provide us everything we ask for. He knows what is good for us right now, and also what will be good for us in the future. Often times when we ask for something, which God doesn’t immediately provide, God is saying “Just wait, and you will see that I have a much better plan for you.”
I find it very interesting that right after Jesus spoke those words listed above, He gave us what we call the Golden Rule.
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12 NLT
Why do you think He said these things back-to-back? I think it is because they are related. As parents we should treat our children as we wanted to be treated by our parents. And as children, we should treat our parents as we want our future children to treat us. We should love each other unconditionally. Siblings should also treat each other as they would like to be treated. In that way, their family will be a healthy one which honor’s God by obeying His word.
Take the time to review these passages with your children. Ask your children what they think these passages mean, and then explain how you interrupt them. Then your children will understand how God the Father parents us, and how God has directed you to parent similarly.
