Do you care about the next generation?

A good friend of mine told me that his strong disciplines of continual study and reading 1-2 books per month come from the disciplines that his grandmother instilled in him. She would make sure that he daily spent time reading books from various arenas of life. Today, his teachings and messages are always fresh and relevant. He attributes much of his success to his grandmother! The Apostle Paul revealed this about Timothy’s upbringing: “I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.” (2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy went on to be a great leader in his generation. However, it was his mother and grandmother that imparted their faith onto Timothy. If we really love our children, we will not withhold from them the needed disciplines that they will need when they grow up. Disciplines like: love for the word of God, prayer, applying God’s word to their lifestyles, living honestly, honor for their elders and other authority figures, reading and study, going to sleep early and waking up early, etc. If you do this, they will thank you when they grow up. You will be giving them the tools they need to succeed in this complex world.

Proverbs 13:24 – Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

Did you know that you have an inheritance?

Most people today are selfish in nature. They only think about their own needs and wants. Most want to be rich so that they can have and enjoy “things,” such as fancy lifestyles, big homes, fancy cars, travel around the world, etc. Although these things are not bad in and of themselves, when you only desire these things without any concern for anyone else, it can become sin to you. The scriptures counsel us to reject selfishness.  Proverbs 13:22 says  “Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly”. Note how God instructs us to think beyond our selfishness. We are to actively prepare an inheritance not only for our children, but also for our children’s children (our grandchildren). This can also mean to prepare an inheritance for all those that God places in your care, and for the next generation. It could be family, community or your church family.  God revealed Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. That is three generations. Christ died on the cross not for Himself, but for all of humanity. That is pure love and selflessness. Reject your selfish nature today and embrace God’s love for this generation. And make sure that you begin to prepare an inheritance for your children and grandchildren! Someone prayed for you and prepared all the benefits that you see and enjoy around you. Now it’s our turn to leave a blessed legacy for future generations!

Proverbs 13:22  “Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly”