“And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” 2 Corinthians 12:15 (KJV).
Fatherhood is not just a title but an obligation. It is a responsibility not just a benefit. Apostle Paul had the heart and the mindset of a true father. “A good man leaves on inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous” Proverbs 13:22 (KJV).
A world where every one claims to be fathers without playing fatherly role is an error, a bunch of confusion and abuse of fatherhood. Today leaders claim to be father to every Christian around them without making any impact in their lives or any significant contribution to their upbringing. The reason is that most self acclaimed fathers do that to boost their position and enhance their ego. It is a display of insecurity. Others see fatherhood position or title as opportunity to milk the flocks because sons are made to believe that they need to climb on the wings of their fathers to go far in life or to see farther in life. These fathers are always demanding seeds from the sons with little or no concern for the welfare of the sons.
Get this right, there is absolutely, nothing wrong with respect for elders or for those who are playing the role of fathers but there is everything wrong with this generation were people who have not been fathered by any man and who themselves need to stay under a father are rather drunk with title of spiritual father and daddy.
Until we are prepared to take fatherly responsibility of bringing up and nurturing children, we should not claim to be fathers.
Apostle Paul was ready to spend and be spent for his spiritual children. He was prepared to give his time, his money, his energy and even his life for the people.
Many leaders today only care for title, respect and seed; this is an error that must stop.
PRAYER: Oh God, save the church from this madness of perceiving father as a mere title to grab. Give us the spirit of true fatherhood, give us the gift of committed and concerned fathers who are willing to make sacrifice for the sons and daughters in Jesus name.
Rev. Vincent Diolu