By Dr. Benny Tate Senior Pastor, Rock Springs Church Tommy, 4, got a puppy for his birthday, he named it Laddie. Unfortunately, the pup proved to be unmanageable. Tommy’s mother ran out of patience and took the dog to a farm. The next morning she said, ‘I sent Laddie away, so you won’t ever see him again.’ Tommy said, ‘No big deal, Mom.’ Tommy went outside to play. Immediately he ran back in the house sobbing, ‘Laddie’s gone! Where’s my dog?’ ’I told you at breakfast that Laddie was gone.’ The boy cried, ‘I thought you said Daddy.’ There is a great difference between a father and a dad. Psalm 128 shows us five differences between a dad and a dud. The character that he lives The Bible says, ‘Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways’ (Psalm 128:1). Character is what we are in the dark when no one is looking. Did you know when a father is an active believer in Christ there is a 75% likelihood his children will also become active believers? If only the mother is a believer, the likelihood is drastically reduced to 15%. Fathers have a tremendous responsibility to model character. The care that he lends The Bible says, ‘For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands’¦’ (Psalm 128:2). I’d like to remind the fathers of America ‘“ even if you have divorced your child’s mother ‘“ you still have a moral obligation to provide for the child. (1 Timothy 5:8) If you are a deadbeat dad, get up off your duff, get a job, and support your family. It’s not the government’s responsibility to support your family. It’s yours. The companion that he loves ’Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house’¦’ (Psalm 128:3). Notice it says companion, not companions. Yes, the Bible talks of one woman and one man for a lifetime. Research shows daughters many times marry men like their fathers. If you want your daughter’s husband to be loving, show love to your wife. Let your children see you embracing your wife and expressing your love for her. The children that he leads ”¦Thy children like olive plants round about thy table.’ (Psalm 128:3) Allow me to share with you six ways in which a father cultivates his children: Spend time with your children. Spiritually train your children. Discipline your children. Teach them work ethic. Teach them respect. Teach them money management. The contributions that he leaves Psalm 128:4-6: ‘Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel.’ It’s encouraging knowing we have the opportunity to make a spiritual impact on our children and grandchildren. Yes, the godly father leaves a godly legacy and this is far more important than an inheritance. An inheritance is something you leave for your children and a legacy is something you leave in them. Happy Father’s Day.
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