An Incorruptible Inheritance
Many today, work diligently in whatever career they have chosen. This they do for a variety of reasons. Some do so to take care of their families. This is a Bible principle as 1Timothy 5:8 shows. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Another reason some work so hard is to be able to “leave” something to their offspring. This too, is dealt with in the Bible. Jacob had served Laban for twenty years and had his wages changed ten times. Jacob had been informed of God to depart and return to the land of his kindred. In Genesis 31:14, Jacob’s wives immediately voiced concern over what “inheritance” they would lose by departing. And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house? They felt they were “owed” something.
The “Prodigal son” of Luke 15:11-13 is a prime example of the mindset of many “young people” today, whose fathers have worked very hard and “left behind” monies or goods. They “expect” something from the efforts of those before them. And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
Folks like this fail to heed what Jesus stated in Matthew 6:19-20 which shows what “real inheritance” is. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
The Words of Jesus that follow, (Matthew 6:21), essentially points out why each is responsible for his/her “own inheritance”. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The “fact” that each is in control of their own eternal destiny is even taught in the Old Testament. Speaking to His people Israel through His prophet Ezekiel, God affirmed that one’s eternal inheritance is their own obligation. Ezekiel 18:20 reads: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
However, God also offered each Israelite the opportunity to “change”, if they would “repent” in Ezekiel 18:21. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Because of this, the message of Jesus in Matthew 12:35 means so much more. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. In other words, that which you love and desire most, is where your focus will be directed. If indeed you desire only “worldly” things, that is only what you will seek.
God shows us the fallacy of this in Galatians 6:7-8. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. We should then ask: “How does this apply to inheritance?” This is a great question and God has provided the excellent answer. We are aware that inheritance, in the “familial” sense is that which is provided by the parents, typically the father. This brings us to the point. One can only “inherit” from the Father in Heaven, if they are a “child of God”, as this is where the inheritance is. We can read this in 1Peter 1:23. Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Jesus, in John 3:5-6, revealed to Nicodemus, the means by which one could become a child of God in the New Testament age, which at that time had not yet arrived. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Upon obedience to the gospel, one becomes a child of God, and He becomes our “spiritual” Father. If we remain in “good stead” with God (remain obedient and faithful to His Word) we can expect that which God “holds” for us. 1Peter 1:4tells us what this is. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,(This only applies to Christians – “children of God”.)
The Spirit had Paul, in 1Corinthians 9:25, tell why Christians are to work so hard to go to heaven. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. What are you going to inherit eternally?
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
