Matthew 7:11—“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
With these words, Jesus appeals to something every human understands: even sinful parents, marked by weakness and selfishness, still desire to give good gifts to their children. If even flawed human love prompts parents to give generously, how much more will divine, perfect love compel our heavenly Father to bless His children?
Christ’s argument is based on God’s character. God is not merely willing to give. He delights to do so. Moreover, His gifts are not careless or random; they are “good things,” always for our true good. As the Psalmist says, “No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11).
Yet Christ also reminds us that we must ask God, not so much to inform God of our needs, for He already knows them, but to express our humble dependence and confidence in Him. Like children who ask their fathers, whom they trust, we too must ask our heavenly Father for all good things He delights to bestow.
We must remember, sometimes God’s “good things” differ from our desires. He gives not what spoils the soul, but what sanctifies it. His gifts may come wrapped in trials, discipline, or delay, yet they flow from unfailing love.
So let us always approach our Father in heaven with confidence. If sinful parents know how to bless their children, our perfect Father will surely give what is truly good to those who ask Him.
