“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.” — Proverbs 13:22
Many of us desire to leave something behind for our children and grandchildren. We want to provide security, create opportunities, and make life a little easier for the generations that come after us. Scripture tells us there is wisdom in planning and preparing for our families.
But the question we must ask ourselves is this:
What kind of inheritance are we truly leaving behind?
An inheritance is not only measured by what is in a bank account, the size of a house, or the possessions we accumulate. Those things can be blessings, but they are temporary. The greatest inheritance we can leave our children is a legacy of faith, love, generosity, humility, and a heart that reflects Jesus.
Jesus told a powerful story in Luke 12 about a man who had an abundant harvest. His fields produced so much that he had nowhere to store everything. Instead of thinking about how he could bless others, he decided to build bigger barns and keep everything for himself.
He said:
“I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’” — Luke 12:18-19
From the world’s perspective, this man looked successful. He had wealth, security, and a comfortable future planned out.
But God said something completely different:
“You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” — Luke 12:20
The problem was not that this man had wealth. The problem was that wealth had his heart.
He had spent his life storing up treasures for himself but had failed to become rich toward God.
Jesus continued:
“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” — Luke 12:21
There is nothing wrong with working hard, saving money, investing wisely, or wanting to bless our families. In fact, Scripture encourages wisdom and preparation. But God never intended for us to become owners of everything we have. We are stewards.
Everything we possess ultimately belongs to Him.
The question is not simply, “How much can I accumulate?”
The greater question is:
“How can God use what He has entrusted to me to bless others and bring glory to His name?”
A person can leave behind millions of dollars and still leave behind an empty legacy. But someone who teaches their children to love God, serve others, give generously, and walk humbly with Christ leaves an inheritance that cannot be measured.
The greatest legacy is not being remembered as someone who had everything.
It is being remembered as someone who loved well.
Someone who opened their home.
Someone who helped those in need.
Someone who gave without expecting anything in return.
Someone whose life pointed others to Jesus.
Years from now, our children may not remember every possession we owned or every financial milestone we reached. But they will remember our character. They will remember our kindness. They will remember whether our lives reflected the heart of Christ.
Jesus said:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” — Matthew 6:19-20
There is wisdom in preparing for the future. There is wisdom in leaving an inheritance. But the greatest inheritance we can give our children’s children is a family legacy that says:
“We loved God above everything. We loved people. We used what God gave us to bless others. We lived with open hands.”
One day, every earthly possession will pass away. Every account balance, every house, every accomplishment will be left behind.
But the love we showed, the lives we impacted, and the souls we pointed toward Christ will last forever.
May our prayer be:
“Lord, bless me not so that I can simply have more, but so that I can become more like You. Give me a generous heart. Teach me to hold loosely to earthly things and tightly to eternal things. Help me leave behind a legacy that honors You and points my family toward Jesus.”
Because the greatest inheritance is not what we leave for our children.
It is what we leave in our children.
Very true