October 30, 2018

Inheritance

Psalm 37:1-29

The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.

—  Psalm 37:29

The Bible has a lot to say about inheritance, and it all points to God’s promises of inheriting full life in his kingdom forever.

God shows his goodness by giving an inheritance to his children. “Those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land,” says the psalmist. “The meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.” In ancient Israel the focus was on the land God had given the 12 tribes of Israel, but today we know that this refers to the whole earth in the new heaven and new earth. In fact, Jesus quoted from this psalm when he said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).

God’s goodness inspires parents to leave an inheritance for the generations that follow. Money saved up for one’s children and grandchildren, so that they may have a head start in life, is a good thing. But people who honor the Lord also show care and compassion for the poor, and they work against injustice and discrimination. In all that he did, Jesus modeled these important teachings.

Do good, care for people in need, save up your pennies for your children. Love the Lord, love your neighbor in Jesus’ name, share the good news of God’s love, and know that, by grace, you have the blessings of eternal life in his kingdom.

Lord, you are our greatest treasure. Help us not to live for ourselves and our own comfort, but to give from the abundance you give—to help people in need and to bless our children, especially with the inheritance of faith. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

About the author — George Young

George Young, a native New Yorker, worked as a taxi driver in New York City before studying to become a pastor. Then he, his wife Ruth, and their children were missionaries for many years in northeastern Japan. They worked with ministers and believers from the Reformed Church in Japan to spread the good news of salvation in Christ and ­establish new churches. Now George and Ruth are retired and live in the northeastern United States, nearer to their children and grandchildren.

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