"Wisdom Cries Out"
What Are You Leaving Behind?
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.” (Proverbs 13.22)
A good man has planned beyond himself. His life’s work is not simply for his pleasure or temporal satisfaction. Instead, he wants future generations to benefit from his decisions. This goodness emulates the nature of God, who made plans for all generations, both present and future, to be blessed (Genesis 12.3).
But what the good man leaves behind is not merely physical. An “inheritance” and “wealth” may seem comparable but are in fact vastly different offerings. Whereas wealth can be gained and lost, an inheritance rightfully belongs to someone. It is their personal possession. An inheritance is what God had always promised his people (Exodus 32.13; Deuteronomy 4.37-39), and the root of the Christian hope.
“[he] has caused us to be born again, to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded…” (1 Peter 1.3-5)
All the wealth in the world will not secure a future; it will only delay the inevitable. Many well-meaning people have tried to create a better future for their families by working hard and investing well. But life does not consist in the abundance of things (Luke 12.15). The greatest inheritance we can give future generations is to instruct them in the ways of the Lord so they can know and become his children. What are you leaving behind?
“to all who did receive [Jesus], who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God… In him, we have obtained an inheritance…” (John 1.12; Ephesians 1.11)
“Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD…” (Psalm 102.18)
