My parents were not wealthy. When my parents passed away, I, as an only child, inherited very little money and few possessions. However, I received a rich legacy from my parents: they consistently lived out love and care for others, they trusted the Lord wholeheartedly, and they demonstrated a lived, active faith in the Lord to me.
When we hear the word inheritance, we tend to think of material things such as property, jewelry, and money. When viewed from a Christian perspective, however, it goes much deeper. It is then no longer about what we leave behind for our children, but about what we leave behind in their lives.
In Proverbs 22:6 we read: “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” This training does not take place through formal lessons on Sundays at children’s church. It happens in everyday life—around the dinner table, during bedtime prayers, in the way we speak to one another, and also in how we respond when things do not go according to plan. We remain our children’s primary disciplers. This is not something we can outsource.
Parents and grandparents are the first example children see of how faith is lived out. They need to see that we turn to prayer instead of panic, that we choose forgiveness over bitterness, and that we place our hope in Jesus. In this way, they learn lessons that cannot be found in any handbook.
One of the greatest gifts we can leave our children is an inheritance of love that reflects the heart of God.
Grandparents, you also play an important role in your grandchildren’s lives. Your prayers, encouragement, and quiet example of steadfast faith make a deep impression on them.
Today, people work hard to secure a comfortable retirement and to give their children a financial head start through an inheritance. In the end, the legacy that truly matters is the eternal, imperishable one. This is often forgotten by parents. In Joshua 24:15 we read: “As for me and my household, we have made our choice—we will serve the Lord.” When we lead our children and grandchildren to the Lord through word and deed, we invest in something that outlasts this life and continues into eternity. In this way, we teach our children to store up heavenly treasures.
Written by Helena Smith