STEEMCHURCH TEACHING | DIVINE INHERITANCES II
Introduction
In our initial post for this series on Inheritance, we had seen inheritance from the Biblical perspective. We also asserted that the subject of inheritance becomes crucial as everyone wants to leave legacies for the unborn generation, whether consciously or unconsciously. In this issue we will take a look at the heir's responsibility towards inheritance. Using the Prodigal son as a case study, we will be able to see how inheritances can be possessed, used or abused.
It is one thing for the Father to leave legacies for the next generation and it is another for the heir to engage this inheritance sustainably. In some cases, heirs do not even have a knowledge of the inheritances they have for various reasons such as immaturity, ignorance, attitude, identity crisis or sheer neglect. In another case, heirs may maximize their father's inheritance and may fight for it in some cases where others took a wrong possession of it. We trust the Holy Spirit to guide as we glean from His word.
Treated in this series
In this Issue
- Responsibilities of the Heir✔
- Our Inheritance in Christ
- Accessing Divine Inheritances – DNA
- God as our Inheritance
Focal Scriptures
Galatians 4: 1-7;
Psalm 136: 21-22
Luke 15: 11-31
Memorable Scripture
Luke 15:12 "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"
The human person cannot decide what to inherit biologically but choose or decide what to inherit socially, legally and spiritually. With maturity, one can decide to accept or not accept any inheritance; he/she can resist imposition of any social/legal or spiritual inheritance with which he/she is not comfortable. It is also the responsibility of the heir to use or abuse the inheritance. This study aims at showing us our responsibilities as human beings and heirs of God’s kingdom in possessing as well as using our God-ordained inheritances.
Responsibilities of the Heir: Possessing the inheritance
- Investigating to know and understand the terms and conditions: This is the only true way to discover and recover one inheritance in God – Dan. 9:1-3; Hosea 4:6; 2Tim.2:15. This is attained through study.
- Requesting/demanding: The second son did well requesting his own portion of his father’s property (inheritance). Requesting is necessary when inheritance is in the hands of the father; demanding is used when it is in the hands of another, illegal fellow who tries to cheat, delay, or deny such inheritance – Matt. 7-11; Luke 15:12. This entails prayers, information through study, and other legal steps (where the need arises).
- Enlarging/increasing/improving the inheritance: The heir should make deliberate effort enlarging, increasing, and improving the inheritance – 1 Chron. 4:9-10; Matt. 25:14-29; Gen. 1:28.
- Readiness to hand over: The improved but unadulterated version of the inheritance must be readily handed over to the succeeding generation – Prov. 13:22; Lev. 25:46; 2Tim.1:5; 2:2.
Responsibilities of the Heir: Using or abusing the inheritance
- Enjoying and benefiting form the contents/components of the inheritance – Gen.1:29-30.
- Not keeping a distance away from the Father (Source); the prodigal son’s first mistake – Luke15:13b.
- Using it only to the glory of God and to the benefit of humanity; avoiding wastages and misappropriation (spending and squandering); the prodigal son’s second mistake – Luke 15:13c.
- Avoiding intimacy with the unbelievers; the prodigal son’s third mistake – Luke 15:15; James 4:4; 1 Cor. 15:33.
Conclusion
In possessing our inheritances, let us learn from the patience of the first son and the excesses of the second (prodigal) son. Let us learn to ask God for our dues (we cannot exhaust Him) while promising and deciding not to abuse them.
...to be continued...
Please, let’s discuss. Feel free to share your lessons, experiences and testimonies in the comments section. We can learn together and dig out of God’s unending treasures.
A Place for You (Image credit-@uyobong) At STEEMCHURCH, there is a place for everyone. STEEMCHURCH is the First Church on the blockchain as visioned by a visionary leader @SirKnight with the sole aim of preaching and enhancing freedom. Related sub-communities and projects include @sc-v, @sc-g, @sc-n, @farms @reliquary @scb @scbf.
Contact Steemchurch:
DISCORD | STEEMIT | WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK
Exactly! Patience and resource management is key.
Thank you brotherly. The records were kept for our learning.