Every Christmas, children ask their parents for presents. Some kids will receive everything they ask for, others only receive a portion of their requests, and still others may receive nothing at all. Good parents love to give, but the best parents ensure their children learn to receive without being spoiled.
Like any loving parent, God blesses us because we’re his children. But the flow of God’s gifts is not aimless. He doesn’t want us to be spoiled. He wants to create givers who give like he does. When we give, we are taking part in God’s generosity.
You parents—if 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? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
Matthew 7.9-11