The Comfort of the Father

Imagine an adopted son who has matured and inherited lordship over all of his father’s wealth. Despite that, this son continues to eke out an existence with the household servants.

Is it right for this young man’s father to comfort him in his bondage, assuring him that he’s loved and that everything will be all right? Of course not. Any father who loves his son would want him to claim his inheritance and leave his poverty. He would urge him to appropriate the riches that are his.

Likewise, God doesn’t merely comfort us in our bondage. Rather, he comes to us saying, “Son, daughter, when are you going to take your place at my side? When will you come into my house and lay hold of all the resources that are now rightfully yours?”

If Jesus is your Lord and Savior, then you’re a child of God. “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:6-7, NKJV). Because you are God’s child, you are automatically an heir and joint heir with Christ to all the riches of the Father!

Of course, our position as heirs has nothing to do with material wealth. To say that Christ died to make us rich in gold or silver is blasphemy. The Bible states, “In him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9). This means God has given Jesus all riches in glory. Therefore, he has every resource needed to bring us out of every bad day we might face.

Yet, you ask, “Isn’t God interested in our physical well-being? All my bad days have to do with my lack of finances. I constantly worry about making ends meet.”

Beloved, your Father begins by meeting all your physical needs. His Word promises, “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). The Greek word for need here is from a root word meaning “to handle all business, all that is lacking or necessary.”

Paul is saying, “God is faithful to take care of all your concerns, business, financial and otherwise. That covers your employment, your food, your clothes, and your home. Yet there are also the riches of his goodness: strength, wisdom and grace, as well as the riches of his full assurance of salvation. Beyond even these, there are his unsearchable riches.”