Proverbs Chapter 13: Verse 22 (NIV)
A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
At my church connect group just now we are looking in our bible study at the “heroes of faith” listed in Hebrews chapter 11, and the legacy that we can learn from their faith journey. That got me thinking about the inheritance we will leave behind for those who come after us. Its not the financial gifts that we might leave that are the most important. I have often spoken of the letter I keep tucked in my bible that was sent to my maternal grandmother on the death of my grandpa from their Kirk Session. It commends him for his willingness to serve, his pawky sense of humour, and his patience through long illness, amongst other things. I hope that I have inherited his character.
Paul told the Galatian church that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, goodness and self-control. “(Galatians Chapter 5: Verses 22-23). Imagine if that was the inheritance, we left to encourage others to follow the same road. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing? The song, “Find us faithful” sung by Steve Green speaks of this. Its one of my favourite songs. That’s the inheritance I want to leave behind.
Find us Faithful
We’re pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road,
And those who’ve gone before us
Line the way.
Cheering on the faithful,
Encouraging the weary,
Their lives a stirring testament
To god’s sustaining grace.
O may all who come behind us
Find us faithful,
May the fire of our devotion
Light their way.
May the footprints that we leave,
Lead them to believe,
And the lives we live
Inspire them to obey.
O may all who come behind us
Find us faithful.
Surrounded by so great
A cloud of witnesses,
Let us run the race
Not only for the prize,
But as those who’ve gone before us.
Let us leave to those behind us,
The heritage of faithfulness
Passed on thru godly lives.
After all our hopes and dreams
Have come and gone,
And our children sift thru all
We’ve left behind,
May the clues that they discover,
And the mem’ries they uncover,
Become the light that leads them,
To the road we each must find.
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Jon Mohr
Find Us Faithful lyrics © Birdwing Music, Jonathan Mark Music
Dear Lord,
May I leave behind as an inheritance proof of your goodness and grace to me, in order that those who come after me desire to know the same mercy and grace for themselves. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.