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As a child, before my brothers and sisters and I would sit down for breakfast, we would ask our father what we could do to please him so that he would let us eat breakfast. He’d tell us. If we wanted lunch money for school we would ask our father what would please him. He’d tell us. At supper time, as we sat down we knew that if we haven't pleased our father, we would not have anything to eat.

I remember the first time I asked my father for a new outfit for Easter. “Daddy, what can I do for you so that you will buy me a new outfit for Easter?” That’s just one example of many.

All our lives, my brothers and sisters and I had to please our father before he would take care of us. Not once did he say “I’m your father and I love you. Don’t worry about it.” If we didn’t do something for him first, then he wasn’t too concerned about doing something for us.

It saddens me that this is how many Christians view their Heavenly Father.

My earthly father never did what I just described. Never! He took care of his family. At one point in his life, he worked three jobs – a full time and two part-time – so that we would have what we needed. He was our Daddy and he loved us.

Our giving does not determine whether or not God will provide for us. And yet, what I have just described is how many Christians see the “Father of fathers."

How this must break our Father's heart.

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