Inheritance
Love for God and man is the goal of the Christian life. Jesus said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-39).
In regards to inheritance, parents should show their first love to God by contributing to His cause and not preferring their children above God. “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37).
King David arranged to leave a great amount of his assets to the building up of God’s house. He said, “Indeed I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the Lord one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them” (1 Chronicles 22:14).
But King David also left a good inheritance for Solomon and all his children. Likewise, good parents should consider giving to their children. “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous” (Proverbs 13:22). Even if the children are not Christian, parents should communicate their love to them thus exemplifying the love of Christ who gave His life to save the sinners (John 3:16).
Much thought and prayer should be given to the arrangement of leaving an inheritance because the Lord will hold His children accountable on how they spend the talents He has given them (Matthew 18). A good counsel would be leaving children non-cash assets such as education funds and property.
However, the most important inheritance that parents can leave their children is the knowledge of the truth. Parents are to teach their children about God’s love (Ephesians 6:4) and lead them to the Lord by example (Mark 10:14). Investing in spirituality is the only thing that will have eternal rewards. All other material riches will perish at Christ’s coming.
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team