Inheritance

First published June 20, 2012

Matthew 6:19-21

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store 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 your heart will be also.   

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Most of the time when we speak of an inheritance, we think of it as money or physical valuables left to close relatives to us in the event of death.  In short, Inheritance = $$$$.

Recently I attended a memorial service for a friend.  We shared the same first name, our kids went to the same martial arts school, and we both homeschooled our kids.  At the service many friends and family spoke about Karen G., but the pastor summed everything up by focusing in on the inheritance she left.  It wasn’t about money, but rather what we who knew her gleaned while she was with us. 

Notice that I didn’t say legacy, which is anything left behind by the deceased. An inheritance is purposeful and directed, and typically stated by means of a “Will and Final Testament”, through which one bestows all or part of an inheritance gained throughout one’s lifetime.

Karen G. left an enormous inheritance.  She was an incredible listener.  Her kindness was genuine.  Her love for the Lord was overflowing as she led several people to know and accept Christ as Savior.

Today’s verses talk about hording physical treasures, versus that which is from God.  One good cross reference for verse 20 is I Timothy 6:19, “…storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” This means that which we are to seek to increase is for giving away “for the future.” Who’s future? Yours? Mine? Unbelievers? The Body of Christ? Yes! Yes! Yes! And, yes!

Let’s meditate on Matthew 6:19-21.  Write down the elements of an inheritance that you would like to leave and pray that as my friend Karen did, you may each day share some of it with others, “so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed (!)”

Copyright 2012, Karen Vaughn