“Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.”
Proverbs 13:22 (NLT)
Contradiction of a conjunction. I had a thought but . . . I had an opportunity but . . . I like him but . . . I would like that job but . . . I want to live godly but . . .
It is so easy to get hung up on material wealth. We want a billionnaire’s bank account but not the sacrifice that is required to achieve it. We want the luxury vehicles but not the fuel bills that go with them. We want the spacious house but not the mortgage, utility bills, and upkeep. We want the children and grandchildren but not the responsibility.
I have to remind myself not to get sidetracked by the wealth. It is only the wise man’s illustration. His thought is not about who ends up with the most stuff. Rather, he points to the results of one’s life. Something or nothing passed on to children and grandchildren.
Foolish people live and act like there is no tomorrow. They live for the moment, squandering their lives in foolishness and on foolish things. They never consider their responsibilities. They live for their own selfish desires. When they possess wealth, they can’t hold onto it. It passes from them into the economy where wise people take possession of it. Consequently, when they die their children only inherit a selfish attitude and example, but nothing to sustain them for eternity.
Wise people know that this life is not the end. They live for tomorrow and all eternity. They prepare their own souls and live their lives in such a manner that, despite their material wealth, they can leave an inheritance to their grandchildren. It’s not about how much they possess but who they are. It doesn’t matter how much money they leave. It is their lives that will impact their grandchildren for eternity.
We certainly don’t want to leave a contradiction to our grandchildren.
Dear Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for the inheritance you have given us. Enable us today to know the difference between material wealth and a real inheritance. Empower us with a life that will impact our grandchildren for your glory. This I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his inheritance and bask in its blessing,