“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children…” (Proverbs 13:22-25, NASB)

I’ve titled today’s devotional: “Leave an inheritance beyond financial blessing.” A good life is not just about what we do for ourselves today. It is about what we leave behind for the people we love tomorrow. When we hear the word “inheritance,” our minds almost immediately turn to dollar signs, real estate, or family heirlooms. We think of creating a will to pass down material wealth to our children. While it is a beautiful and practical blessing to prepare for such things, God’s definition of leaving an inheritance goes beyond that. It is about leaving behind some financial security and teaching them to manage, use, and use it to serve others. Solomon writes,

“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, and the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but it is swept away by injustice. He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently. The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the stomach of the wicked is in want.”

Bank accounts can dry up, and property can be lost, but true generational wealth cannot be taxed, spent, or stolen. Matthew 6:19-20 says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” What good is it if you leave earthly treasures but do not teach them how to lay up heavenly treasures? What good is it if you give them earthly goods, but do not show them how to walk with the Creator of all things? It is more important to leave behind an eternal inheritance rooted in the words of God rather than just properties, trust funds, or family treasures. Even if our children begin with great wealth, without knowing right from wrong and what pleases God, they may waste it or use it for evil. They may be rich on earth but poor before God.

We must strike a balance between what Solomon said in verses 22 and 24. Verse 22 says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,” but in verse 24 it says, “He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.” In other words, it is not enough to have a good plan to leave your inheritance behind, but you must discipline, train, and teach your children to know how to manage wealth through God’s words. The best spiritual inheritance is to teach them God’s Word and to model faith, godly living, service, and prayer. It is because teaching with our words is not enough. We must follow it up with our modeling, that is, show them by example how to apply God’s commandments. To me, the greatest inheritance we can give is prayer, because while other things reflect your efforts and possessions, prayer places your children in God’s care. You are entrusting them into God’s hand, and asking Him to teach, lead, guide, and provide for them. Your prayers for your children and grandchildren never expire. Long after you are gone, God still hears those prayers and grants them that inheritance.

• What kind of “inheritance” do you think Solomon was referring to?
• How can you ensure that your children’s children will learn to manage inheritance wisely?