FATHERS AND THE HIGHEST KIND OF BLESSING

FATHERS AND THE HIGHEST KIND OF BLESSING

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-3

Topic: Fathers And The Highest Kind Of Blessing

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

Ephesians 6:1-3

One of the highest blessings is that it may be well with you. Who would not like it to be well with him? However, it will never be well with you if you are disobedient to your father! The greatest blessing for sons is hidden in their obedience to their fathers. There is something I have noticed in large families with five or more children. The sons or daughters who are very obedient to their parents turn out differently from those who are rebellious, independent and resistant. It is a pattern you will discover for yourself.

One pastor told me how she had noticed this phenomenon. She described how some of her father’s children had constantly resisted their father’s advice. “It is not easy for them today”, she said. “Marriage is not easy. And financially, it is very difficult for them.” She continued, “I can see a clear difference between those of us who obeyed and those who rebelled.” The Difference Is Clear!

Another pastor said to me, “I have a big family with many brothers and sisters but the difference is clear.” He described how his father was cared for by one of his daughters. He said to me, “This sister of mine cared for my father all the time. She did what he wanted and he was always pleased with her.” “In fact”, he continued, “my father died in her arms. She was nursing him when he died. Even my mother was not around when he died but she was there.” Today, her life is very different from some of her brothers and sisters. He began to describe horrific conditions of the cancer and poverty which had struck some of his other brothers and sisters. He mused, “There is certainly a difference between children who love and honour their parents.”

One day, a father went shopping with his two sons. As they walked through the department store buying clothes, the father suggested to his sons, “Take this pair of trousers, it will suit you, it is nice.” But there was a clear difference in the response of the sons to their father’s suggestions. One of them constantly had a different opinion. He didn’t like what his father liked. He always wanted something different. He even became grumpy and angry because he couldn’t have some things. However, the reaction of the other son was very different. He would say, “Whatever you choose for me is okay. I like what you like for me. I want what you want for me.” You see, these two attitudes can grow up and result in two different outcomes. 

The highest kind of blessing is that it may be well with you. It will be well with daughters who trust and obey their fathers! It will be well with sons who trust and obey their fathers. This principle applies to all kinds of fathers whether natural or spiritual. Become a son who wants what his father wants for him. Become a son who likes what his father likes. Christianity is based on this principle: the principle of submitting your will to the will of your father. The principle of accepting the father’s will instead of your own will.

Do not be self-willed. Be subject to your father’s will. It is safer and easier to say, “ Father, into thine hands do I commit my life.” Let’s follow Jesus; He is the best example for us all.

Credits: Excerpt from

My Father, My Father

Bishop Dag Heward-Mills