It’s that time of year again. Time to complete the annual tax-filing ritual and get those dependents to finally pay off! As you go through the motions, you’re asked that familiar question: “Can you be claimed on someone else’s taxes as a dependent?”
It’s usually an easy question to answer – for tax purposes. But what about the way you live your life…who are you dependent on?
If I’m honest, my answer is generally, “me, myself and I.” (Does that count as three dependents?!) Of course, I do depend on my amazing wife, my co-workers and many of my friends. But, for the most part, I am fairly self-sufficient. But, as Dr. Phil has been known to ask, “So how’s that working for you?” For me (again, if I’m truly honest), I often fall short of hitting the mark. I always take on too much, running long on bills and short on cash, and I often end the week exhausted.
Can God Claim You as a Dependent?
So how IS that working for you? Are you struggling with some of the same challenges? In the Psalms, David declares,
“I depend on God alone; I put my hope in him. He alone protects and saves me; he is my defender, and I shall never be defeated. My salvation and honor depend on God; he is my strong protector; he is my shelter. Trust in God at all times, my people. Tell him all your troubles, for he is our refuge.” Psalm 62: 5-8
“Tell him all your troubles.” Wow! That is exactly what many of us need as dads. So the question is simple: Can God claim you as a dependent? Share you answers with the rest of us at The Fatherhood Project-Building Great Dads.
Dan Dolsen is the founder and director of The Fatherhood Project-Building Great Dads. The Fatherhood Project’s mission is to build great dads by equipping them with the tools to lead their families in the roles of provider, protector, partner and preparer. The Fatherhood Project is a Christian ministry and a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. The Fatherhood Project may be found at www.buildinggreatdads.org .
© 2019 The Fatherhood Project-Building Great Dads. Not to be reproduced or copied without permission of Dan Dolsen. PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH OTHERS! All Bible quotations are from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.