“A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children” (Prov. 13:22).
This is one of the tasks of faithful parents, leaving an inheritance to their grandchildren. This inheritance should be understood biblically, which means it must be understood as both material and spiritual, both temporal and eternal. In context, Solomon is clearly talking about material and financial wealth, but the context is also contrasting the righteous and the wicked. Leaving a material inheritance – if it is to be truly received by your grandchildren – means that you must also leave them with the means to actually receive it. And the only means to truly receive gifts are the hands of gratitude. In other words, only a spiritual inheritance can truly inherit the gifts of God.
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (Eph. 6:1-3). And how do children learn to honor and obey their parents? That is the responsibility of parents to teach. And the reason parents must teach their children to honor and obey them is so that it may go well with their children, and they may live long on the earth. Requiring your children to obey you right away, all the way, and cheerfully is giving them the ability to receive God’s blessing for the rest of their life. And parents who do this graciously and cheerfully are modeling for their children how to do this. This is why Proverbs also says that failure to discipline your children is a form of hatred. We might also add that it is a form of theft. Parents who do not teach their children to obey are giving their children buckets full of holes. They are taking away their ability to receive God’s blessing.
Wisdom is more precious than silver and gold. Understanding is more valuable than diamonds. Teaching your children to love the wisdom of obedience is giving them something more valuable than a paycheck. But if it is taught well, you are also teaching them how to get a paycheck, how to work hard, how to be honest, how to be grateful, and therefore, how to pass that inheritance to your grandchildren.
And this is why you have brought your families here today. You are here in obedience to worship God. And you are here with your children because you want to give them the most valuable thing in all the world: Jesus, our priceless treasure. Because in Him are found all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Photo by Lena De Fanti on Unsplash
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