Our Children’s Children

I have never been on a snowboard. I believe that window has closed for me having recovered from recent back surgery and already being in possession of two artificial hips. The joy for me now is watching my grandchildren experience those things that I never have, like the first snowboarding lesson pictured above for one of my granddaughters. The other granddaughter is pictured below standing victoriously after having mastered the art of negotiating up and down the bunny slope several times.

” A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children” (Proverbs 13:22). The context of this verse pertains to one’s financial stewardship over a lifetime and that it should be sufficiently prudent to provide in some fashion for one’s grandkids. As most of us can attest, this is a difficult task in these modern times of financial and economic uncertainty. Nevertheless, we should strive to do the best we can in this regard. This is one area of my life with which I have struggled but I am determined to keep working at it. However, the whole context of leaving an inheritance to our children and their children is broader than finances.

God’s inheritance is illustrated in Ephesians chapter 1. We find a prayer recorded by the apostle Paul that implies that one’s inheritance is broader than just money. Paul prays for the folks in Ephesus that first God may give them “the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (God)” (:17); then he prays for “the eyes of your understanding being enlightened” (:18a). Why is he praying for wisdom, revelation and understanding? So that they may attain two things. First, “the hope of His calling” (:18b) and second, “the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (:18c). What Paul is saying to his dear friends is that we cannot even begin to understand the value and the extent of what is involved in the “inheritance” that is made available to each and every one of us until God reveals it to us through our faith. How and when God chooses to do that to us is up to Him.

I believe scripture also gives us examples of how to receive God’s inheritance. The clearest example is in John 3. It is the account of the Pharisee (religious leader of the times) Nicodemus seeking out Jesus to confess his faith to Him. Nicodemus states in verse 2 “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus responds, in verse 3 “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again (from above) he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus came in faith, professing his faith. What Jesus is saying to Nicodemus is that His faith is the vehicle to “see” the kingdom of God. It is as simple as that, no other requirements. Why do I believe it is that simple? Because that is what happened to me in my faith journey. In a non-denominational Christian service on a Sunday as part of a business weekend I came forward to invite God into my life by praying with a friend who had shared his testimony. That was my statement of faith as best as I could muster at that time in my life. My whole perspective of God and His involvement in my life changed in an instant. I believe that I received that “spirit of wisdom and revelation” described in Paul’s prayer along with a beginning of understanding of what the riches of God’s inheritance is all about. My life has not been the same since. I believe this is what Jesus was talking about when He said, “born from above” and “seeing the kingdom of God”. It is an understanding of the fullness of God’s promises that we have in this life and whatever life is to come after this. It is the experience that this life has a richness that goes far beyond money. Here is the good part. We do not have to do anything special to receive that revelation from God. Just ask God to come into your life in the most simple, transparent way you know how. That is it. Wait and see when and how God shows up in your life. Trust me, you will know when that happens.

God’s inheritance is the type of inheritance that I want to pass on to my children’s children pictured above. Whatever few dollars I put aside and pass on to them will be helpful and I will continue to set aside for them. But money does not have lasting value and sometimes a financial inheritance may be squandered. That is not an indictment on anyone. It is just the way it is. My sincere desire is to pass on to them an understanding of the fullness of God’s inheritance in their lives. I can think of nothing better to leave them.