Our “how much more” God!

Six times in the gospels Jesus uses the term “how much more” to put strong emphasis on a point (six in the ESV and NKJV, five in KJV). And Paul uses it six times too (KJV), so we can say it was a common expression of the time. Five of the six times in the gospels it refers to our Father God giving to His children.

In Matthew 7:11 ESV he said, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” In a similar though more specific statement in Luke 11:13 he says, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Some manuscripts render it as “the good spirit.” The verse in Luke 11 implies that the Holy Spirit is the best gift of a loving Father.

I’d be happy to just rest in the truth of those two verses. I’ve often written that God wants on the best for you — health, wealth, and happiness. If we who are parents want the best for our children, then God wants it for us “much more.” There are many verses for these truths in other articles and posts on this site.

Three of the other “how much more” verses in the gospels also relate to God’s care for us, but using illustrations from fauna and flora — birds, plants, and animals.

Two are in Luke chapter 12: “Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!” (verse 24). “But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” (verse 28). To which we add Matthew 12:12, “Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

Just for the sake of completion, the sixth reference (Matthew 10:25) is about disciples and teachers, and servants and masters.

Civilla D. Martin, wrote this wonderful song of assurance in 1904: “God will take care of you, Through every day, o’er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you.” And He does! Thank you, Father.