Leaving Something for Your Children

Mike Johnson

It is common for parents to leave an estate for their children, and it is helpful for children to be able to receive it. From an inheritance, perhaps a child can pay off a car, a house, or maybe pay for college tuition for someone in the family.

However, money and material goods have their limitations as they can only last a short lifetime.  Paul said in 1 Timothy 6:6-10, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and certainly we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”  In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus pointed out we should lay up treasures in heaven instead of on earth because the treasures on earth are temporary, unlike the eternal treasures, which can be laid up in heaven.

With this in mind, the best things we can leave our children are not material possessions or money.  Instead, it is the excellent and influencing example of a godly life.  Consider the following poem.

Daddy’s Bible

(Grady L. Duncan, July 16, 2000)

Daddy has left us, his life’s work is done.

Only one thing leaving, to me, his son.

It is his old Bible, all tattered and torn.

Each page is wrinkled, soiled or worn.

Its condition, atrocious, but not from abuse.

It happened through time, with frequent use.

From cover to cover, each page was read.

You can tell he loved it, by the life he led.

Many words are circled, verses underlined.

In the margins, other thoughts you will find.

Much time in reading, and study was spent,

Learning what was written, and just what it meant.

No greater treasure, could  I possess.  

Than that old Bible. I am so blessed.  

Its condition has gone, from bad to worse,

As I’ve considered each note and underlined verse.

It now holds a place among precious things,

Not for its beauty, but for the memories it brings.

Every Daddy should follow his example and leave,

A worn-out Bible, to which his son can cleave.

No greater blessing, could a man bestow,

Than a knowledge of a Savior, who loves us so.

Now that I know Him, and His promises, won.

What more can I say, but, “THANKS DAD” –With love, Your Son?

Let me ask an important question.  What are you leaving for your children?