"A man leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up the righteous."
Proverbs 13:22
A Common Mistake
It’s very common to read the scripture above and think in terms of financial wealth. There are endless stories of men that left behind generational wealth that is quickly squandered away by their children and grandchildren. The financial inheritance that was left behind with good intentions ends up creating family division and hard feelings that endures generations.
A Bigger Purpose
I believe the scripture is much bigger than the financial inheritance that we leave behind. It is much more important to leave behind are our habits, routines, and disciplines that honor Christ.
In MD5 we discussed that our children are much more likely to follow or emulate what they see us doing than what we tell them.
Faith – When parents don’t go to church, 81% of children will not attend church.
Family – Kids from a divorced family are almost twice as likely to get divorced.
Friends – Our children pick up on the habits of the people we spend the most time with.
Finances – Spending habits are the most common financial trait picked up by our children.
Fitness – A child with one obese parent is 50% more likely to be obese. A child with two obese parents is 80% more likely to be obese.
Biblical Lessons Learned
I recently lost my last remaining aunt and uncle. While driving my mother to her younger sister’s funeral we had a great discussion on the habits and routines that have been passed on by many generations of our family.
My aunt learned many of her habits and routines from her parents and grandparents. My aunt is now with the Lord, but she left behind a lot of great traits through her children and grandchildren. This is what the scripture should be teaching us.
“Funerals are like the tuning for of life” – unnamed quote
Roger Smithson
MD5 Facilitator
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