Gift-Giving and Ownership in Parent-Child Relationships
In biblical understanding, the concept of gift-giving within parent-child relationships extends from earthly family dynamics to the divine relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ, and between God and believers. The act of giving can signify inheritance, provision, and deep affection.
Parents are understood to provide for their children, often leaving them an inheritance. Proverbs 19:14 notes that "Houses and riches are the inheritance of fathers," indicating that parents are expected to accumulate and pass on wealth to their offspring [8]. This inheritance can be formally bestowed through a will, a verbal declaration, or a deed of gift, as seen in the example of a father dividing his possessions among his sons [9]. However, Mosaic law also addressed potential favoritism in such distributions, stipulating that a father could not disinherit a firstborn son in favor of a son from a more beloved wife, even if he preferred the latter [9].
The New Testament highlights a problematic interpretation of gift-giving that undermined parental provision. Jesus criticized a practice where individuals would declare their assets as "Corban," or "a gift dedicated to sacred uses," thereby exempting themselves from using those assets to support their parents [7]. Matthew 15:5 records Jesus saying, "Whoever says to the father or the mother, A gift, whatever you would gain from me" [2]. This practice, by which a person could claim that what might have profited their parents was now dedicated to God, effectively nullified the commandment to honor one's father and mother [7].
Beyond material provision, the parent-child relationship is also characterized by obedience and discipline. Children are exhorted to obey their parents, and parents are instructed to discipline their children gently, reflecting a devotion to the Lord [6].
The divine parent-child relationship, particularly between God the Father and Jesus Christ, serves as a profound example of gift-giving and shared ownership. John 3:35 states, "The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand" [1]. This act of "delivering over of all things into the hands of the Son" stems from the Father's "ineffable love of the Son" [5]. This concept of shared ownership is further emphasized in John 17:10, where Jesus declares, "all mine are thine, and thine are mine," signifying an absolute "community of property" between the Father and the Son [4].
In a broader theological sense, God's relationship with believers is also framed in terms of gift and adoption. The apostle Paul uses the concept of adoption to describe the privileges of Christians, drawing on the Roman custom where a child born of other parents could be adopted and receive the same rights as a natural son [3]. This figurative use of adoption illustrates the close relationship believers have with God, being received into His family [3]. The ultimate divine gift is God's own Son, which encompasses all other blessings [10]. This "unspeakable gift" of Christ is presented as the foundation for all other gifts believers receive [10].
Sources
- John “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. -- John 3:35”
- Matthew “Matthew 15:5 (LITV) — But you say, Whoever says to the father or the mother, A gift, whatever you would gain from me;”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Adoption — an expression used by St. Paul in reference to the present and prospective privileges of Christians. (Romans 8:15,23; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5) He probably alludes to the Roman custom by which a person not having children of his own might adopt as his son one born of other parents. The relationship was to all intents and purposes the same as existed between a natural father and son. The term is used figuratively to show the close relationship to God of the Christian. (Galatians 4:4,5; Romans 8:14-17) He is received into God's family from the world, and ”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 17:10: all mine are thine, and thine are mine--literally, "All My things are Thine and Thy things are Mine." (On this use of the neuter gender, see on Joh 6:37-40). Absolute COMMUNITY OF PROPERTY between the Father and the Son is here expressed as nakedly as words can do it. (See on Joh 17:5).”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 3:35: The Father loveth, &c.--See on Mat 11:27, where we have the "delivering over of all things into the hands of the Son," while here we have the deep spring of that august act in the Father's ineffable "love of the Son."”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 6:1: 6:1-4 The relationship between parents and children is to be a reflection of their devotion to the Lord. Christian children are to obey their parents, and Christian parents are to discipline their children gently (see Col 3:20-21).”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 15:5: But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift--or simply, "A gift!" In Mark (Mar 7:11), it is, "Corban!" that is, "An oblation!" meaning, any unbloody offering or gift dedicated to sacred uses. by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 19:14: Houses and riches are the inheritance of fathers,.... Which they are careful to provide and leave to their children. This they may and often do, build or purchase houses, and procure great riches, and put their children into the possession of them; and, or but, a prudent wife is from the Lord; one that behaves well to her husband, massages the affairs of her house with wisdom, and brings up her children in all orderly manner: such a wife no man has from the care and provision of his parents; nor so much from his own good choice and industry as from the kind pro”
- Deuteronomy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Deuteronomy 21:16: Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath,.... By a will in writing, or byword of mouth, or by a deed of gift, actually bestowing his goods upon them, and dividing among them what he is for the present possessed of; see Luk 15:12, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn; that is, when such is the case, that the son of his wife he has the least value for is really his firstborn, he may not, through favour and affection to the wife he loves better, prefer her s”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 9:15: his unspeakable gift--the gift of His own Son, which includes all other inferior gifts (Co2 8:9; Rom 8:32). If we have received from God "His unspeakable gift," what great thing is it, if we give a few perishing gifts for His sake? Next: 2 Corinthians Chapter 10”