“Being of sound mind, I spent it all!”
Those were the words read from the will
when my friend, Marion,
met with her siblings after their mother died.
Today’s devotional in
“Mornings with Jesus 2020”
told of a similar story.
The writer quoted her father as saying,
“Before I leave here, I intend to spend every dollar I ever made.”
She thought he was kidding.
After all, he was a God-fearing man …
“who could quote scripture from Genesis to Revelation.”
(Alice Thompson, Thursday July 9th).
But her earthly father had given her no inheritance!
After being angry for awhile,
Alice turned to her Bible,
and she turned to the Lord.
Alice wrote that she spoke to her head
about Lamentations 3:24.
It says,
“The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.”
Even though Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,” Alice realized her father – who left “nothing for me,” had indeed left the most precious gifts of all: His loving relationship with her and his faith in God.
He lived his life loving her and her mother, giving to the Lord and to those in need, and using his hard-earned dollars to enjoy a good life. A nice house, a new car every few years, memorable vacations, generosity with his children, and gifts to charity… these were the signatures he left. He left her the gifts money can’t buy: love, faith, a good work-ethic, respect, and joy.
If our parents live their lives in love and faith, generosity and joy.
If our parents pass those gifts on to us,
We have the received the most important gifts of all.
They don’t owe us a rich monetary inheritance.
If our parents demonstrate a good work-ethic,
and teach us to do likewise,
If our parents help us learn to read and compute,
pray and serve, and get a good education,
then they have equipped us to do as they might:
“Being of sound mind,
I spent it all
or gave it away.“
Go and do likewise!
Have a great Thursday.
I’m headed to a Happy 70th Birthday party!
See ya tomorrow.
Live in peace with EVERYBODY, my friends!
Hugs, JanBeek
Comments on: "Spend it All or Give it Away!" (13)
Wonderful blog! Thanks!
Thank you, Fran. Do you agree?
“If our parents live their lives in love and faith, generosity and joy.
If our parents pass those gifts on to us,
We have the received the most important gifts of all.”🌺🌺🌺
Such great lines, Thanks for sharing these beautiful thoughts!!!!❣️
I’m happy they resonated with you. Thank you for responding. I appreciate you!
You’re welcome!!
Our Mum has to sell her house to pay for her care. She minds more than we do.
I understand her “minding” – but I hope you can convey to her your appreciation for the gifts that really matter that she already has given you. I think the equity we have in our homes is a great way to have resources to pay for our own care. There is comfort in knowing we do not need to be a burden to our children!
Indeed
My parents did leave me an inheritance, but the most precious gifts they gave me throughout their lives were faith in God and a love for Creation.
Hope you enjoyed the party, Jan! x
Thank you, Lesley, it was a great opportunity to safely be with four couples whom we love and have missed – socially distancing and celebrating the 70th year of a dear friend. Life is good! I hope you have a lovely weekend. Thanks for your visit and comment. I appreciate you, Lesley. 👍🏽❤️
Thank you, Jan. I appreciate you too and your uplifting posts … and also for sharing your daily life and photographs.
You have a lovely weekend too. ☺
Great post Jan! There are so many precious blessings we leave with our children and grandchildren, and few if any require the “dollar.”
I am so glad you agree, Thank you for visiting and leaving you affirmative comment, Richard, Have a great weekend. <3