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Answer
Some individuals carry emotional baggage from their childhood that distorts their perceptions of God’s goodness. A pastor has noted, “I have encountered many people who hold a deep-seated belief that God is deceitful. They see Him as a cosmic spoiler with a twisted sense of humor. These individuals often come from a background of abuse, which has greatly hindered their ability to trust a paternal figure. In their eyes, God exists solely to bring them sorrow. . . . Consequently, they struggle to place full trust in Him” (Weber, S. K., Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary, Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000, p. 99).
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus indirectly addressed these wounded souls, emphasizing that God is an incredibly loving Father who bestows good gifts upon His children: “You parents—when your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Certainly not! So if you, despite your flaws, know how to give good things to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him” (Matthew 7:9-11;NLT).
The heavenly Father wants each of His children to understand that He is trustworthy (Numbers 23:19;Romans 8:28). He is a kind and affectionate “Abba Father” (see Mark 14:36;Galatians 4:6;Romans 8:15) who generously gives good gifts to His children. Regardless of the extent of suffering experienced from earthly parents, the Bible provides hope and solace to adults who still bear the emotional wounds of childhood mistreatment and neglect.
Jesus proclaimed, “God gives good gifts” in the context of His teachings on prayer See Matthew 6:5-18;7:7-11. He taught the disciples to seek the Father in prayer because this is the path to knowing His heart and trusting Him fully. Scripture promises that if we ask God, He will give us what we need. If we seek Him, we will find what we need. If we knock, He will open the door for us. Instead of fretting over the cares of this life, God’s children can take everything to Him in prayer (Matthew 6:25-34). Since the Father already knows what we need (verse 32), we can entrust our lives to Him and seek His kingdom above everything else (verse 33).
The apostle Paul echoed Jesus’ message: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
In Luke’s account of Christ’s teaching, one of God’s good gifts is the Holy Spirit: “What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11:11-13;CSB). The Holy Spirit is God’s built-in gift to every believer to comfort, help, counsel, empower, guide, and so much more (John 7:37-39;14:16;Romans 15:13;1 Corinthians 2:10-11;1 Peter 4:10;Titus 3:5). According to James, wisdom is another good gift of God: “If any of you l
acks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” «If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. », (James 1:5).
God wants His children to open their hearts in total dependence upon Him, trusting that they are safe and secure in His embrace. The Lord won’t trick us by giving us a stone instead of bread. Nor will He mock our prayers by presenting us with something harmful, like a snake instead of a fish. If we need food, He won’t abandon us or leave us begging for bread «I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. », (Psalm 37:25). James writes, “So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession” (James 1:16-18;NLT).
God takes good care of His treasured children because He loves them perfectly. Human parents fall short (Psalm 14:3;Romans 3: 9-18, 23), but God’s love is perfect and eternal (1 John 4:7-21;Romans 8:31-39). The heavenly Father knows what’s best for His kids. He gives them what they need and not what harms them. Believers can trust God completely; because He is truly good, He cannot give anything but what is good.
