The Way of a Father who Leads by Example

Learn how to take care of your family with 7 Ways a Father Provides for His Family.

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Fathers are called many things like Dad, Daddy or Pops. Another word that expresses the role of a father is provider. If you had a father who was a good provider to you, you are truly blessed!

One of God’s Names is Jehovah Jireh, which means “God our Provider.” God, in His mercy, provides you with salvation and eternal life; meets your physical needs such as food, housing, healing and protection; and even gives you wisdom for each day. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (ESV).

With God as his perfect example, an earthly father can take on the role of provider in many ways: in the spiritual growth and development of his family, for the material needs of his family, and with emotional support and encouragement. It’s a big job! But the man who puts 7 Ways a Father Provides for His Family into practice in his life can do it!

1. A father loves God and others.

“The man answered, ‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” –Luke 10:27

The No. 1 way a father provides for his family is to love God. What activities show that a father loves God? He prays, reads God’s Word, and attends and participates in church. He also tithes and gives offerings. He spends time each day visiting with his Father God. He carves time out of his day to listen for the voice of the Lord.

A father also provides for his family by loving others. He is patient and kind, not jealous, boastful or proud (1 Corinthians 13:4). He is available to teach and train others, including his children. The love of God through the father provides a sense of belonging and offers strength to overcome obstacles in life. A father provides for his family by making them feel secure and teaching them to love others.

To understand more about God’s love, read A Father’s Love.

2. A father forgives as God forgave him.

“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” –Ephesians 4:32

Another way a father provides for his family is that he forgives as God has forgiven him. In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” Jesus replied, “No, not seven times, but seventy times seven!”

The best kind of father is one who forgives and keeps on forgiving. After all, God forgives us (Psalm 103:3). Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone needs to be forgiven. When a child makes a mistake, it’s important for the father to tell the child, in love, what they did wrong. Then, to end the matter, the father needs to say those three important words, “I forgive you.” This simple act of forgiveness provides stability in the home.

When a father refuses to forgive a family member or a business associate, not only does he get more and more miserable, but he also puts himself in jeopardy and paints a dangerous picture for his family to imitate. Holding a grudge and living in unforgiveness is like scratching a sore that never heals. A father can provide for his family by demonstrating forgiveness to them and others.

3. A father walks in the fruit of the spirit.

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” –Galatians 5:22-23

A third way a father provides for his family is that he walks in the fruit of the spirit. When a man is born again, the Holy Spirit comes to live within his spirit, and what a difference that can make! The Holy Spirit will work through a father so that his natural inclination changes from the old ways to the ways of God.

Instead of anger, he can demonstrate love. Instead of sadness, he can be quick to show joy and laughter. Instead of strife, there is peace. Rather than lose his temper, the father can patiently wait and act with kindness, gentleness and self-control. All these character traits are available to the father who chooses to walk in the fruit of the spirit.

If you have a parent or spouse who struggles to walk in the fruit of the spirit, you can pray for them to develop in spiritual maturity: A Prayer To Draw Near to God

It doesn’t happen overnight, but as a father yields to the Lord, the fruit begins to ripen to the image of Christ, and this fruit provides a godly home for his family.

4. A father puts the Word of God first place in his life.

“I have tried hard to find you—don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. I praise you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us.” –Psalm 119:10-13

A father also provides for his family by putting the Word of God first place in his life. What does that mean? It means he makes God’s Word the final authority in every decision.

For example, a teenage daughter wants to go to her friend’s party. The father is responsible to find out certain things about the party. Are her friend’s family Christians? Will the parents be at the party? Will boys and girls be properly chaperoned? Will alcohol or other dangerous substances be served, or maybe brought in? Does his daughter have an escape plan? These are things the father needs to know before he can make his decision.

Decisions based on God’s Word will bring successful results. A father must consider God’s Word in deciding where to go to church, where to work, where to live, how to spend money, and how to be a witness for Jesus Christ. Those decisions come easier as he and his wife are in agreement with the Word of God (Matthew 18:19-20). With God and His Word in first place and as final authority, the father can provide a good life for his family.

5. A father prays about everything.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:6-7

Another way a father provides for his family is by praying about everything. That’s when spending time daily with the Lord becomes essential. Knowing what to do, and how and when to do it, can be a challenge. A father who prays about everything can have confidence in his decisions. God is his Source and will provide all he and his family need, including God’s wisdom and peace.

A father’s prayer also provides confidence for each member of the family. They know their father’s prayers are effective because he prays according to God’s Word. “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16).

Even more powerful is when a family prays together and comes into agreement with the Word! Jesus said, “If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:19-20). A father provides for his family by praying about everything.

6. A father is generous with his time and resources.

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” –Matthew 6:19-21

A father who is generous with his time and resources provides for his family. It takes effort for a father to be generous with his time and resources. After all, his job, which oftentimes provides for his family, takes most of his time and attention. And it takes a concentrated effort to focus on the family’s activities, interests and responsibilities. Being a father is not for the fainthearted!

One of the most encouraging phrases in the Bible is “but God” (Ephesians 2:4). Whatever is going on, whatever seems stressful or impossible can be overcome with that little phrase, “but God.” You see, the word but is a word that cancels out everything said before. For example: “There’s not enough money for that…but God.” With that little word, but, lack is no longer a factor. “I can’t do that…but God.” Suddenly the impossible becomes possible with God. “There’s no way I will get that better-paying job…but God.” Hope and faith soar at the possibility that God will intervene and allow the father to provide what is needed.

7. A father avoids the things God hates.

“There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.” –Proverbs 6:16-19

Finally, a father provides for his family by avoiding the things God hates. It can be hard to associate a loving God with the concept of hate. But God does hate evil. “You love justice and hate evil” (Hebrews 1:9). Evil is the opposite of good—and God, and everything about God, is good.

As a father, it’s best to avoid the things God hates. Haughty eyes? That’s pride. Lying tongue? That’s obviously lies. Hands that kill the innocent? That’s murder. A heart that plots evil? That’s corruption. Feet that race to do wrong? That’s a person who has no restraint. A false witness who pours out lies? That’s a deceiver. And a person who sows discord in a family? That’s strife. Not only does a father hate the things God hates, but he also loves the things God loves—and that includes his family.