Sept 4, 2016 (Proverbs 13:22)

“A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous” (Prov 13:22). Here we find among the teachings of Solomon an obscure proverb in terms of present day practice. We tend to consider the matter of inheritance as something left for the succeeding (next) generation in greater part. There is a strong proclivity, at least in America, of parents wanting their children to experience a less restricted if not far more abundant life than they themselves previously experienced. This has resulted not only in sparing the rod but spoiling the child, and has produced a generation marked by what is often referred to as ‘entitlement.’ Today many children are of the opinion that they virtually have a legal right to enjoy everything their parents have struggled for years to obtain, at times without any sense of accountability whatsoever. It’s an inclination which has raised its ugly head in my own family as well as those of friends who at times have prevented their children from maturing into responsibility adults if the truth be known. So it is that there is wisdom in skipping a generation and leaving one’s inheritance to grandchildren rather than children, especially when provision has been made for the children to succeed if not prosper through providing a good education if not a comfortable lifestyle. For if children are afforded too much, especially in terms of worldly materialism, they are more likely to not require responsible behavior in the future from their own children. In short, permissiveness needs to be seen as a curse, not a blessing.