Character-Building Privilege

“A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.” Proverbs 13:22 (NIV)

In Old Testament times, it was essential that parents pass land ownership to their children and grandchildren. Many people were too poor to buy land. With no inheritance, they would end up enslaved or unable to care for their parents and grandparents, who normally lived on the property with them. Hence they were told, “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children”.

What’s different about inheritance in our culture? Today in America and many other affluent countries, inheritances are usually windfalls coming to people who live separately from their parents; have regular sources of income generated by their own work, skills, saving, and investing; and have far more than they need…When such people inherit a farm, house, or other real estate, what becomes of it? Typically, they sell it. The inheritance doesn’t enhance their work; it simply increases their standard of living, sometimes dramatically.

I consider it important not to leave money to our daughters that would interfere with my sons-in-law’s responsibility to provide for them. Fortunately, my sons-in-law are very responsible, and I trust them fully. But how dare any of us, whether family or friends or government, allow our financial subsidies to deny the character-building privilege and divine calling of a man to work to provide for his wife and children? Many well-meaning parents have caused serious marital conflicts by leaving money to their grown children.

Randy Alcorn in Managing God’s Money: A Biblical Guide (Carol Stream: Tyndale, 2011) 207-208.

Though this biblical text is often used to argue for leaving large sums of money to children, it actually communicates the opposite. When it says “a good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,” in biblical terms, that means leave your offspring a place, a trade, and deep faith. And notice, the biblical behavior presented in the proverb stands in contrast to the sinner who stores up wealth. God will redeploy it to those who will steward it well.

Follow Alcorn’s advice. Don’t leave money to your children. Help them get rolling while you are living, but don’t make them have to liquidate the pile of assets that God entrusted to you. You could ruin them and rob them of the “character-building privilege” of doing hard work, earning a living, and caring for the needs of their family.

Gary Hoag Daily Meditation (November 3, 2016)

For further study go here to read about Four Tips for Leaving a Legacy of Christian Generosity.