Eternal Inheritance Series

“Eternal Inheritance”

Introduction

We are all familiar with inheritance. An inheritance is the passing of wealth and resources within the family from elder to younger. Sometimes it involves the death of the elder but not always. There are times when a parent will pass on an inheritance while the parent they are still alive. Inheritance is different from reward. Reward is based on merit or actions. Inheritance is generally based on relationship. I may receive a reward for finding a long lost object. Most inheritances are relieved because we had a relationship with the giver.

The Bible deals with both. God promises reward for faithfulness. God also promises inheritance. Israel inherited land as God’s chosen children, even though they did not always act faithfully.

Issues over inheritance stand at the top of the list of issues that fracture families. Even Jesus was asked to settle and inheritance issue.

Someone in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." But He said to him, "Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?"

Jesus then used the opportunity to reinforce a proper perspective on material goods.

Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." Luke 12:13-15

Since God considers us His beloved children, what inheritance, if any, can we expect?

Before we explore our inheritance, a brief word concerning the Fathers assets is in order.

I. The Father’s wealth

The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.

For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Psalms 24:1-2

For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.

I know every bird of the mountains, and everything that moves in the field is Mine.

If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is Mine, and all it contains. Psalms 50:10-12

Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. Deuteronomy 10:14

I have made the earth, the men and the beasts which are on the face of the earth by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and I will give it to the one who is pleasing in My sight. Jeremiah 27:5

Everything in this universe belongs to God. He holds the patent on everything. All the gold is His. All the silver is His. All the precious metals and jewels are His. All the land is His. All the animals are His. Everything material is His because it was all made from resources that belong to Him. Technically the totality of the world’s wealth belongs to God.

I believe that God always touches with infinity everything that He does and this leads to the thought that the inheritance we receive must be equal to the God who gives it. Being God, He does not deal in things which are merely finite. Therefore, the inheritance that the child of God receives is limitless and infinite.

What a contrast to our small gifts and legacies and benefits on this earth!...

Even the world's richest man can only leave what he has—nothing more. Somewhere, the millions give out and every estate has a boundary.

But, God being who He is, the inheritance we receive from Him is limitless—it is all of the universe!...

We humans should remember that when our high flights of imagination have taken wings upward we can be sure that we have never quite reached as high as His provision, because our imagination will always falter, run out of energy and fall weakly to the ground. In contrast, there is no limit to the infinite benefactions of God Almighty to His redeemed ones. A.W. Tozer

God is not only the source and giver of all material things but the source of the immaterial as well. He is the source of life and all that enriches life. He is the source of ability, grace, love, joy, peace, virtues of all kinds, family, spiritual vitality, growth, hope. These belong to God and are His to distribute to whoever He wills. Who shares His wealth with Him?

II. The only begotten Son’s Inheritance

First and foremost God chooses to share His wealth with His only begotten Son.

I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 'Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession. Psalms 2:7-8

I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14