Passing Down Wealth: the Wisdom of Scripture on Inheritance

Rewritten July 1, 2026

Recently, I rewatched the movie Knives Out (the 2019 comedy). It has the classic “reading of the will” scene common to so many who-done-it shows: the solemn family lawyer behind a desk preparing to read the bequests; the assortment of undeserving relatives gathered together, each hoping for a share of the fortune; and a surprise revision of the will now uncovering each character’s greed and lack of affection for the deceased.

It makes for good entertainment, but it’s certainly not how I want to leave an inheritance. I would be horrified if there were any bickering about who gets my fake pearls and who gets the jars of pennies.

As Christian grandparents, we want to bless our families with a legacy that honors God and provides practical help to our children and grandkids so they can live their best life possible.  If you’re able to leave a financial inheritance to your family, good for you. But when we take a look at God’s word, we see that other types of inheritance count just as much.

1. It was God’s Idea to Provide for Future Generations

Key verses

• Genesis 12:7 NKJV
• “Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.”
• Numbers 14:24 NLT
• But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land.
• Proverbs 13:22 NLT
• Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren,
  but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.
• Proverbs 19:14 ESV
• House and wealth are inherited from fathers,
  but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

Main point

God established the practice of inheritance. He gave land and blessings that He intended to be passed on from one generation to the next.

Grandparent application

One way to care for future generations is to leave them something of value. To be sure, the verses above address property, but they also highlight the value of other blessings, like having solid people around you, having an upright character, and pleasing the Lord.

As grandparents, we can be examples of people who seek to know the Lord and live out His principles. Most importantly, we can pray for their direction, their friends, and their character. Our prayers for their spiritual life go beyond us and into eternity. To me, that is true wealth.

2. Inheritance Is About More Than Money

Key Verses

• Galatians 3:26 NLT
• For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
•  
• Galatians 3:29 NLT
• And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

Main point

When we think of inheritance, we usually think of bank accounts. Still, in studying scripture on inheritance, the treasure is often represented by family identity and being included in the favor of God.

Grandparent application

Grandparents pass down much more than dollars. We pass down stories, traditions, values, and faith. Honestly, the older I get, the less I worry about my grandchildren’s financial position. What matters more is who they become as people. These boys and girls may be kids today, but they will grow up to be husbands and wives, parents, and community leaders. Their character development is worth praying about!

3. Scripture on Inheritance Shows How We Gain Wealth Matters

Key Verses

• Proverbs 13:11 NIV
• Dishonest money dwindles away,
  but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
• Proverbs 20:21 ESV
• An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.
• 1 Timothy 5:3-4 ESV
• Support widows who are genuinely in need. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God.

Main Point

Scripture on inheritance is clear that God isn’t going to bless money that comes from crime or dishonesty. It’s through working and managing money well that you gain wealth that God can bless.

Grandparent Application

God cares about how money is earned and managed.

As much as we love the idea of easy money, there is some discipline involved in working for what we have. Just think of the sad stories you have heard about lottery winners who are broke within a few years. Discipline and appreciation for what we have are qualities that will help us keep the money we save. This is a valuable lesson to pass on to your grandchildren no matter if you have a lot or a little bit.

4. Money Was Never Meant to Become the Main Thing

Key Verse

Luke 12. In this chapter, Jesus is talking to a crowd of people, trying to teach them about people’s value to God. Then, this guy in the crowd (there’s always somebody, right?) totally disregards the point Jesus is trying to make and wants help with his financial dispute.

The guy says to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:13-15

The man may have missed the main point, but he gave Jesus a chance to reinforce His lesson that life is about getting to know God. Jesus was not concerned with our clothes, the fancy phones, or any stuff, really.

Grandparent Application

It is truly a blessing from God if you have money to leave as an inheritance. However, money can be a cold comfort without warm, loving memories of time spent together and a spiritual inheritance to go with it.

In our generosity to our grandchildren, we must make sure not to miss the main point. We want them to know they are valuable to us and to God.

5. Teach Your Grandchildren Wisdom Before Wealth

Key Verse

Luke 15:12 ESV
The Prodigal Son

And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.

Main point

This goes back to Proverbs 20 about easy money. This boy acted as if his father owed him an inheritance when the son absolutely did not have the skills to handle it. Unfortunately, his father did not have time to teach his son the principles of stewardship. Sadly, the father lost his son and his money for a while. Life did not go well for the son until he repented and returned home.

Grandparent Application

One of the greatest gifts grandparents can give is helping grandchildren grow in wisdom before they ever receive wealth. We can teach them lessons about generosity and tithing. We can show them how to take care of their belongings. We can model patient saving and wise use of credit.

6. The Greatest Inheritance We Leave Is Faith

Key Verses

Mark 8:36 ESV

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

2 Peter 1:1 NKJV

Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

Main point

Recently, as I began reading through 2 Peter again, I was struck by the phrase “precious faith.” I realized just how precious my faith truly is. It is the solid ground beneath my feet, the source of my hope, and the reason I face each new day with confidence. I wouldn’t want to go back to the years before I knew Christ.

Most days, my faith is woven so naturally into my life that I hardly stop to think about it. But Peter’s words reminded me what an incredible treasure God has given me.

And that’s the treasure I want my grandchildren to receive – the precious faith that will sustain them.

Grandparent Application

As grandparents, we have the privilege of passing down far more than money. We pass down stories of God’s faithfulness. We model integrity and generosity. We pray for our grandchildren by name. We open our Bibles with them. We show them what it looks like to trust Jesus through both joyful seasons and difficult ones.

One day our grandchildren may inherit a savings account, a family home, or a few treasured keepsakes. Those gifts have value. But imagine if they also inherited a love for God’s Word, confidence in prayer, and a faith that carries them through every season of life.

That is an inheritance no recession can erase, no thief can steal, and no amount of time can diminish.

So whether you leave behind a large estate or simply a well-loved Bible filled with underlined verses and handwritten notes, remember this: the greatest inheritance you can pass on is a life that faithfully points the next generation to Jesus.

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