Leaving a Blessing
Verse: Proverbs 13:22
A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
Devotional:
Years ago I was working with a ministry that, from time-to-time, would gather marketplace leaders and philanthropically-minded individuals together in what is known as a President’s Conference. The idea for the conference was to share the ministry’s vision and minister to these individuals in the grace of God’s giving.
Seldom do these people have any ministry set up a meeting or conference specifically with their needs in mind.
It was a powerful time, as they shared their testimonies, strengths, and weaknesses, along with their desires to use their gifts, relationships and influence for God’s purpose.
One couple I remember so well, stood before the group with a challenge of sorts. The husband told the group how he had been very successful in business and been blessed with a multitude of material possessions. He went on to say he had no children (and, hence, no grandchildren), smiled, and mentioned that the only one in his family in which give his wealth was his brother. And his brother had more wealth than he.
So he and his wife made a decision to give away their entire earthly estate. That upon their passing, they would give it all to the ministry who had invited them on such a special weekend.
Now, the verse in Proverbs above, it seems to say that you should leave an inheritance for your children and grandchildren. The second part of the verse mentions the wealth of a sinner being stored up for the righteous. I think the intent here was to teach a principal: A principal that even in passing from this world, we should leave an inheritance for family and God’s people. The billionaire publisher, Malcolm Forbs is famous for saying the following, “He who dies with the most toys, wins.” For the Christian, this should be ludicrous. Proverbs teaches us that we should expend all our resources into Kingdom purposes. In fact, even the “sinner’s wealth” will be inherited into the Kingdom.
Today’s Challenge:
Do you have a will, estate or trust in place to pass along God’s resources? In this modern day, it’s fairly simple to put together a simple will directly from the Internet. But I would encourage you to put a family trust together so that in the event of your passing the inheritance would be properly executed.
Today, do some research, get an appointment with a financial planner, estate planner or attorney to put this vital biblical principal into effect.
Write your observations or questions down here at http://www.GenerousLife.net/day87.
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