Should we leave an inheritance to our children if they are not Christians?
Proverbs 13:22
ESV - 22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
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Asked February 22 2018
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Kathlelen Kelnhofer
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Marcus Green
This is an interesting question. Let's ask this question... If we are to follow God's example, his word has said the unrighteous, ungodly and immoral will not inherit his Kingdom. 1 Corinthians 6:9-20. Are we to set ourselves apart from God's word? Yes, we should plan on leaving an inheritance to our children. We have attempted to instill godly values, but according to his Word, not all will enter therein. God so loved the world that... Even though we, like God, love our children so very much, not all created will enter in.
Those of us who have broken laws pay a penalty. There is love, and there is also justice. That's so very hard for us to enact. We are not to be controlled by our emotions. We are to rule by justice.
Only after repentance, which is the turning away from our sins do we receive an inheritance into the Kingdom of God.
Marcus Green
If your child committed an atrocity would you have the courage to do what is right and turn them over to the authorities for prosecution and justice? Despite our great and never ending love, justice must prevail. Invest into God's kingdom. Give and donate. Pay your tithes which are already God's.
Does giving to ungodliness sow into the kingdom of God? Grace and mercy, unmerited (we did not earn it) favor is offered, but repentance (the turning away from) is required before the gift can be received. Saying we're sorry is not the same as repentance. We must live like God, offering unending love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and justice. Simply having children does not merit an inheritance.
Danny Hickman
Why would God have a problem with a believer leaving his worldly goods to whomever he chooses? Contrary to a lot of false teaching, the Lord is not an out-of-control authoritarian; he doesn't have to be; he has the final word in all matters regardless of the decisions we make.
Proverbs 13:22 declares the benefit of living with integrity and the disadvantage of living without it. It doesn't imply anywhere in that proverb that God wants to choose to whom we leave an inheritance.