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Direct References to Heavenly Accounts/Treasures:

Matthew 6:19-21 - Jesus teaches about storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."

Luke 12:33-34 - "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys."

Matthew 19:21 - Jesus tells the rich young ruler: "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven."

Mark 10:21 and Luke 18:22 contain parallel accounts of the same teaching to the rich young ruler.

Passages About Generosity Being Rewarded/Credited:

Luke 6:38 - "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap."

2 Corinthians 9:6 - "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."

Philippians 4:17 - Paul speaks of the Philippians' gift as "credited to your account" (using accounting language).

Luke 16:9 - Jesus speaks of using "worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings."

Proverbs 19:17 - "Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done."

Matthew 10:42 - Jesus promises that even giving a cup of cold water to a disciple "will certainly not lose their reward."

Hebrews 6:10 - "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."

1 Timothy 6:18-19 - Paul instructs the rich to "do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age."

Additional Supporting Passages:

Matthew 25:34-40 - The parable of the sheep and goats, where acts of mercy are rewarded with eternal inheritance.

Luke 14:12-14 - Jesus teaches about inviting those who cannot repay, saying "you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Galatians 6:9-10 - "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

These passages collectively present the biblical teaching that generous acts, particularly toward the poor and needy, are not forgotten by God but are recorded and rewarded in the eternal realm. The concept appears throughout both the Old and New Testaments, with Jesus frequently using the metaphor of "treasures in heaven" to describe this spiritual accounting system.

Every Sunday, I look out at the men in our church and see something that both encourages and concerns me. I see guys who would take a bullet for their kids. Men who work 50-hour weeks to provide for their families. Fathers who coach Little League and attend every school play.

But I also see something else: exhaustion. Frustration. And if I'm honest, a quiet desperation.

Here's what I hear in conversations:

• "I don't know if I'm getting through to my teenager."

• "My daughter seems more influenced by her friends than by me."

• "I feel like I'm just trying to survive until they turn 18."

• "The culture is teaching my kids things I can't compete with."

Sound familiar?

What If There's a Different Way?

What if the problem isn't that you're failing as a dad—what if it's that you're thinking too small about what being a dad actually means?

Here's a radical thought: You're not just a father. You're a Kingdom Dad.

The difference isn't semantic—it's seismic. Regular dads are trying to raise good kids who succeed in this world. Kingdom Dads are raising future citizens of heaven who will transform this world.

The Kingdom Dad Difference

Kingdom Dads understand three game-changing truths:

1. You represent the King in your home. You're not just "Dad"—you're God's chosen ambassador to your children. Every interaction is a chance to show them what their Heavenly Father is like. When you discipline with firm love, they learn about God's justice and mercy. When you keep your promises, they understand God's faithfulness. When you admit your mistakes and ask forgiveness, they see God's grace in action.

2. You're raising citizens of two kingdoms. Your kids will live in this world, but they don't have to be controlled by this world's values. Kingdom Dads teach their children to ask different questions: "What would honor God?" instead of "What will make me happy?" "How can I serve?" instead of "What's in it for me?" "What matters for eternity?" instead of "What matters right now?"

3. Your family is a kingdom outpost. Every Kingdom Dad's home is an embassy of heaven. Your dinner table conversations, your family traditions, even how you handle conflict—all of it demonstrates what God's kingdom looks like. Your kids get a front-row seat to kingdom living before they encounter the world's counterfeits.

This Changes Everything

When you embrace your identity as a Kingdom Dad, suddenly:

• Discipline has purpose beyond compliance—you're shaping character for kingdom service

• Your example carries eternal weight—you're modeling what following the King looks like

• Daily moments become ministry opportunities—car rides become discipleship time

• You have supernatural resources—you're not parenting in your own strength

The Kingdom Dad Challenge

I've watched Kingdom Dads in our church, and here's what sets them apart:

They're intentional. They don't just hope their kids turn out okay—they have a plan to pass on kingdom values.

They're authentic. Their kids see them pray, struggle, fail, and get back up. They model real faith, not perfect performance.

They think generationally. They're not just raising their kids—they're influencing their grandkids and great-grandkids they'll never meet.

They band together. They've discovered that Kingdom Dads need other Kingdom Dads. Iron sharpens iron.

Your Kingdom Assignment

Here's the truth: Your family is your first and most important ministry. Not your job. Not your hobbies. Not even your church service. Your family.

God didn't randomly assign those kids to you. He chose you specifically to represent Him to them. That's both sobering and incredibly exciting.

So let me ask you:

• What kingdom values are you intentionally passing on?

• How are you preparing your kids to be kingdom citizens in a world that opposes the King?

• What would change if you started seeing yourself as God's ambassador to your family?

Ready to Level Up?

If this resonates with you—if you're tired of just surviving parenthood and ready to thrive as a Kingdom Dad—you're not alone. There are other men in our church asking the same questions, facing the same challenges, and wanting to rise to this higher calling.

Being a Kingdom Dad isn't about being perfect. It's about being purposeful. It's not about having all the answers—it's about pointing your kids to the One who does.

Your kids need more than a good dad. They need a Kingdom Dad.

The question is: Are you ready to be one?

Saint Valentine's story is actually quite fascinating, though historical records about him are somewhat limited. The most widely accepted account tells of a 3rd-century Roman priest who served during the reign of Emperor Claudius II.

According to Christian tradition, Valentine was known for his compassionate ministry during a time when Christians faced persecution in Rome. The most famous story tells how Emperor Claudius II had banned marriages for young men, believing single men made better soldiers. Valentine, seeing the injustice in this decree, continued to perform Christian marriages in secret.

Beyond performing forbidden marriages, Valentine also ministered to Christians who were being persecuted under the Roman Empire. He would aid them, comfort them, and provide pastoral care despite the risks to his own safety. When discovered, he was arrested and imprisoned.

While in prison, a beautiful story emerged that Valentine formed a friendship with his jailer's daughter, who was blind. Through his prayers and faith, tradition says she was healed of her blindness. Before his execution on February 14th (around 270 AD), he wrote her a farewell letter signed "From your Valentine" – a phrase that would resonate through centuries.

Valentine's impact on modern Christianity and culture is multifaceted:

First, he exemplifies the Christian virtues of sacrificial love and standing up for one's beliefs despite persecution. His willingness to risk his life to perform marriages and minister to the persecuted reflects Christ's teaching about laying down one's life for others.

Second, his story has become intertwined with the Christian understanding of romantic love as something sacred and worth protecting. The fact that he defended marriage as a Christian sacrament, even at the cost of his life, continues to inspire many Christians' view of marriage as a holy institution.

In today's world, Valentine's feast day (February 14th) has evolved far beyond its religious origins to become a cultural celebration of love. However, for many Christians, St. Valentine remains a powerful example of someone who demonstrated both agape (sacrificial love) and the courage to defend Christian beliefs in the face of persecution.

Churches often use Valentine's Day as an opportunity to teach about different forms of Christian love – not just romantic love, but also the sacrificial love Christ showed and that Christians are called to emulate. Some congregations hold special services or marriage vow renewals on this day, connecting modern expressions of love to their historical Christian roots.

While much of Valentine's story has been romanticized over the centuries, his core message about the power of Christian love and the importance of standing firm in one's faith continues to resonate with believers today. He reminds us that love – whether for God, for one's spouse, or for one's fellow humans – sometimes requires courage and sacrifice.