Title

The Better Inheritance

Scripture
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children...
(Proverbs 13:22)
Devotional
It is a good thing to leave a financial inheritance to our children. It is a better thing for them to inherit our legacy. We cannot leave a financial inheritance to our children until we die. However, we can leave a legacy to them while we live.
Allow me to make a distinction between a legacy and an inheritance. An inheritance is something that we leave to an heir upon our death. It can be left regardless of whether or not the inheritor merits the inheritance. A legacy, on the other hand, is the reputation we create by our character, integrity, and accomplishments. A legacy can be inherited during our lifetime by those we influence. The legacy must be diligently maintained, however; a single ungodly act can ruin it forever.
An inheritance can be easily squandered. However, because a legacy is based on character, it is not easily wasted or lost. Furthermore, we can see the fruit of the legacy we impart; it is not so with an inheritance left upon our death. A financial inheritance is good, but a legacy inheritance is better.