Proverbs 4:1–4 (NIV)

1. “Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

2. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.

3. For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.

4. Then he taught me, and he said to me, ‘Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.’”

I have been teaching on The Economy of God’s Kingdom (Fathers). Let me continue by saying this: you must first come to the standpoint of identifying who you truly are to the Fathers. Because honestly, some of us know these things, and yet they do not work for us.

I have a question for you this morning: Are you a son/daughter to the Fathers—or are you a fan?

Hear me, sir. Many of you are just fans—supporters. You might love the Fathers, but you are not ready to do what is required of a child toward his father. Do you understand me? That is why, up until now, despite the number of Fathers you claim to know and listen to, God still cannot identify you as a child who has a father.

Follow me carefully.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 13:22a that “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”

Child of God, yes, I am aware that you know Fathers and that you might even speak with them—but are you not just a fan?

The promises are for the children. The inheritance is left not just for the children, but for the children’s children.

1. You will not gain anything from just knowing Fathers. Do they father you? Are you a genuine son or daughter?
2. Beyond claiming to be a son or daughter, are you ready to do what is required of you?

Let’s return to today’s scripture.

In verse 1, it says: “Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.”

— The first thing is this: it says, “Listen, my sons,” not “my fans” or “my supporters” or “my well-wishers.” This means:

1. A father knows when he is speaking to his children.
2. There are things a father will never say unless you are his child. Are you with me?

The second thing is that he tells his children, “Pay attention and gain understanding.” It goes beyond claims—are you ready to do?

And if you read the next verse, it says: “I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.”

Child of God, in the economy of God’s Kingdom, claims do not work—you must be ready to do.

The third thing is in verse 4: “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.”

Child of God, if you see Fathers who enjoy long life—Fathers who lived long and lived well—it is because, while they were sons,

1. they understood,

2. they took hold of their father’s words,

3. and they kept the command.

Because it is a continuous thing—it doesn’t die. And this is what some of us, as children, will inherit to become Fathers tomorrow.

So beyond prayers, when you see Fathers who have done well and are still doing well, remember what Solomon said in verse 3: “He was a son to his father.”

Wake up! You will not just get there. There are principles and protocols in this economy.

Good morning, God’s people.

I hope you are learning.