Many of our views of abundance come from an orphan or wounded spirit.
Matthew 6 Jesus is teaching his sermon on the mount. A big part of chapter 6 deals with why we shouldn’t worry, specifically about money. Jesus is addressing the orphan spirit that many of us have. It’s allows us to worry about the silliest things.
12 times in chapter 6 Jesus gives the answer to overcoming the orphan spirit. 12 times he uses a word that was rarely used in Hebrew Scriptures to describe God. The word is Father:
v.1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
v.4 Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
v.6 …when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
v.8 …your Father knows what you need before you ask him
v.9 This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…
v.14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you
v.15 …if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
v.18 …so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
v.26 …Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
v.32 …For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
“Father” is a positional term that comes into its fullness when you are in relationship. Fathers pass on certain characteristics because of DNA. A good father provides so much more because you’re in relationship with him.
You need know “who’s your daddy”.
That’s how you overcome the orphan spirit and train yourself to think God’s thoughts about you.
Has that penny dropped with you? How did you get that revelation? Sharing your story with others can help them. Can you share yours in the comments?
Good job of pointing us to the ongoing need for relationship with the father. I know this is a subject that is very true to my heart. A lot of our “silly” worries can be overcome as we learn who He is and why we can trust Him. Keep up the great work.
Thanks again Rev. Collins. God’s been drawing me back to it again and again. I think it’s a truth I need to embrace more. I mean, I know it in my head and can explain it on a page…but do I really trust He’s got His best in store for me?
When I’m honest with him, He shows Himself true once more.