Leave a Good Inheritance

“A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children…” (Proverbs 13:22)

Sometimes I think it would be good to be able to have a big stash of money and real estate to leave my grandchildren. But then I see families torn apart for years, fighting, and quarreling over an inheritance.

The writer of our text is not speaking of things, money, houses and lands, necessarily. There are better things than money that one might leave his heirs. Many a good man has died penniless. Our Savior was one of them. The Bible says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. (Proverbs 22:1) It is better that one’s grandchildren be left a good, honest and respected name than an abundance of goods with a disgraceful character and a smudged reputation.

How is that good name passed down to one’s grandchildren? The beloved, Apostle John gives us a hint when he says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (III John 1:4) A good name, trustworthiness, honesty, Godliness, impeccable morals and a good example are passed down from grandparents to parents to children. In writing his second letter to Timothy, Paul called to remembrance the unfeigned or real faith that was in Timothy, which was first in his grandmother Lois and then in his mother Eunice. (II Timothy 1:5)

Don’t let money, goods, things, gold and silver be the only inheritance your grandchildren inherit from you. The memory of you in church with them regularly and teaching them the things of God at home as well as at church is an excellent inheritance.