Have you ever dreamed about opening the mailbox and finding a check written to you for a large sum as an inheritance from some distant, never-met relative? How about a British estate left to you by a long-lost great-uncle?
Those dreams may seem far-fetched, and probably are as far as your hopes of a mailbox treasure go. But, you would be completely within reason to expect an inheritance of a different nature.
“A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous” (Proverbs 13:22).
While most people rightly tie this verse to the handling of personal finances, it should also be applied to spiritual inheritance. Have you ever stopped to consider what was passed down to you from previous generations in the way of Godly heritages and foundations? What did the people who came before you pray for, sow into, and work towards that you are now reaping the benefits of in your own life? Perhaps more importantly, what are you praying for, sowing into, and working towards in order to leave a Godly inheritance for your grandchildren?
Our Bible heroes weren’t perfect, but quite a few of them did a good job of modeling what this could look like for us. Abraham is known as “Father Abraham” because he sowed faith into future generations by believing God, and seeing that credited to him as righteousness (Galatians 3:6). Esau sowed forgiveness of his brother into the heart of his nephew Joseph, and Joseph harvested those seeds with his own brothers a couple of decades later (Genesis 33 and 45). King David was told by God that he could not build the temple, but he didn’t let that stop him from storing up everything needed for his son, Solomon, to do so (I Chronicles 22-29).
It’s usually pretty easy to find things that are wrong with our families; after all, they’re made up of imperfect people. And it’s true that if generational baggage has been handed to you, you’d better go to the Lord and see those bags unpacked. But, it’s also just as important to recognize the beautiful and the holy that God has been building in your family and learn to cooperate with Him to see that carried on to completion. Your actions today could mean that those who follow after you get a spiritual “check in the mail.”
Podcast
Click to listen to this week’s message, “The Great Exchange: Trading Generational Baggage for Blessing,” by Mindy von Atzigen.
On the Radar
Treasure Hunt this Wednesday evening, 6-8 pm. For more information, check out the website at http://www.efcsweetwater.com.
“How to Study the Bible” discipleship training class will be finish up this Sunday evening, August 14, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The class is free of charge and childcare is provided.
Links
To find out more about how to build righteous foundations and leave a Godly heritage for your children’s children, check out a new book written by Eric Johnson entitled Momentum: What God Starts Never Ends, available on Amazon.
You Heard it at EFC
- “Jesus Forever” by Anthony Skinner
- “Consuming Fire” by Christ For The Nations Institute
- “You Won’t Relent” by Misty Edwards
- “Revelation Song” Kari Jobe version
Sunday Preview
Next Sunday, August 14, we will continue our series, “Open and Shut” as we explore the doorways of our heart.
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If God was moving in your heart during yesterday’s message on forgiveness, I encourage you to follow His leading. Here are some resources to help you do just that:
