Good Dads Provide for Their Family, Just As God Says
Good dads provide for their family. They work to provide a home, food, shelter, clothing, and all the necessities of living. Our Heavenly Father tells us this, in 1 Timothy 5:8, NASB, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” So, when dads earn a living for their family, they are keeping the faith, the kind of faith that brings heaven into view.
Matthew 6:33, NASB states this: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” God does this by providing dads (and moms) with talents and abilities and thereby, helping dads in providing for their families. The important thing for dads is that they always seek God’s will in His kingdom, “God’s will be done on earth just as it is in heaven.”
Good dads are special. They build and maintain good societies. The neighborhood and communities where they live are safe places to raise children.
Our Heavenly Father has placed wisdom in the Bible for dads. Here’s this from 2 Thessalonians 3:10, NASB, “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.” Christians are commanded by God to work and to provide for their own. No work? No food. It’s a formula that has stood for thousands of years. Our Father in Heaven wants us to use our hands.
Fathers are also instructed by God to bring up their children in the way of God. Ephesians 6:4, NASB tells us this, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Our Heavenly Father always provided for instruction first before any discipline followed. In this, dads teach their children as they practice their faith, building for their children a roadway to heaven.
Good Dads Are Compassionate Toward Their Children
Good dads feel for their children. They love them, nurture them, and all the while understanding their children are babes in a hard, destructive world. Dads help their children flourish in society by teaching them godly values. After all, would you rather work next to a liar or a non-liar? I think everyone would agree that the non-liar is the best choice. You can’t trust anyone who lies. We can all trust non-liars.
Considering compassion, our God recognizes our frailty. Good dads recognize their children as frail, young, kids. When dads take the time, and make the effort, they consider the inexperienced youth of their children.
Psalms 103:13, NASB – “Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.”
The following three verses speak to compassion.
Matthew 7:9-11, NASB – “Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?” You know good dads don’t do this. They don’t pull the rug out from under their children’s feet.
Mat 7:10, NASB – “Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?” Likewise.
Mat 7:11, NASB – “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” Our Heavenly Father gives good things to His children. Good dads give good things to their children.
Good Dads Train Their Children
Dads teach their children lots of things. Some dads teach their daughters how to change the oil and a flat tire. Boys get the same training, too. Some dads teach their kids how to make edible food. They may teach them how to tie knot. They teach home upkeep, lawn maintenance, how to care for animals, etc. The most important thing dads teach, however, is how to worship God. Consider the following.
Proverbs 13:24, NASB – “He who withholds his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.” The Old Testament shows that God taught the Hebrews. If they failed, He often waited patiently for them to get it right. However, if they showed a rebellious, insolent heart, God would punish them.
In the book of Judges, people did what was right in their own eyes. This was after Joshua died. There was no king or leader for them. Fortunately, we see great lessons for us. For example, foreign tribes would come to harass the Hebrews, stealing their crops and livestock. They asked God for help when things got bad. He would raise up a “judge” to help the people. The judge led armies to protect and avenge the Hebrews. Things were good for them if they followed God’s laws. However, the next generation often reverted to, “the people did what was right in their own eyes.” And the cycle would repeat itself.
Proverbs 20:7, NASB – “A righteous man who walks in his integrity—How blessed are his sons after him.” Good dads do good and right things, consistently. Dads are not perfect – they make their mistakes and sin. But they always repent and make their best effort to walk in the way of the Lord. Good dads show integrity. They walk in light, as Ephesians 5:8, NASB, states.
So, their children learn to follow the pattern. They learn that, while dad is not perfect, he always gets back on track. They trust their dad to be good. Children feel secure in a loving environment as dad guides the family.
Proverbs 3:11-12, NASB – “My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, for whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” Discipline happens. You can tell a loving father by the way he corrects his children. But they do provide a “straightener” when needed.
Why do dads do that? It’s a simple answer – they love their children. Nobody wants their child to grow up to be incarcerated. People don’t want their children involved in drugs or alcohol, vaping, smoking, inhalants, or generally be at odds with society. They don’t want their children to be anti-authority.
Society works well when children do right. And when they do, their dads are extra proud of them.
Conclusion
Good men make for good dads. They are gems, worthy of love and respect within their family. God has a lot to say about dads. It’s a worthwhile Bible study topic.