I like to do things for my children. I always have. I suspect that I always will. We did not bring children into this world so that they would do for me – so that I would have someone to love me. Just the opposite, I want to give. Sometimes, I’m told that I give too much or I give when they don’t deserve it or give when it may not even be in their best interest. To be honest, I can’t help it. I want to do for them.

So, when I read today’s scripture, I am drawn to a verse from earlier in the month – Luke 11:13. If you then…know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

In spite of persistent grumbling about the state of their lives, God continues to do for the Israelites above and beyond what they could do for themselves. God acts on behalf of the Israelites even when the Israelites seem ungrateful and want to return to Egypt. God sends bread from heaven. God keeps giving. How much more can God do? In Acts 2, God gives the Holy Spirit and not even because the people ask God to give. God continues to give.

If I give to my children, how much more must God want to give to us. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament readings for today indicate that the people’s response is to praise the Giver – to praise God (Acts 2:47). Look for what God gives – so much more than we could give to our children. Let all God’s children say Praise.