Goodness #5—Giver of Good

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? Luke 11:13

While it’s possible for us to give good gifts in spite of the evil in us, God gives good gifts because of the goodness in him. We have to overcome obstacles in our hearts so we can act wisely and generously toward others. Sometimes we fear some loss will occur, or that we will be diminished in some way, if we give what is really good. When we sense this fear, we give reluctantly and grudgingly and stingily. Sometimes we give just so we can boast in our generosity, so we can be seen as the source of another’s joy. Flamboyance and ostentation are the results. Such is our evil, yet we give good gifts. The Father fears no loss, for he is infinitely full; and his boasting is utterly appropriate, for he is infinitely glorious. Such is his righteousness. So, he gives the best: He gives us his very self. Just as we see God’s holiness—his infinite, unexcelled and irreplaceable worth—as glory, we experience God’s holiness as goodness. If he gives us, as followers of Jesus, the magnificent gift of the Holy Spirit, we can be certain he will freely give us other goods as well. What an encouragement to move us to pray for gifts related to physical needs, spiritual guidance and forgiveness!

Gracious Father, how I need your Spirit today. How glad I am that you are more disposed to give this gift than I am to request it. Thanks for such goodness through Jesus.