Series: Youth for Jesus
Number: Vol. 8, No. 36
“An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.” (Proverbs 20:21NIV)
What Solomon tells us in our opening text immediately reminds one of the story of the prodigal son. The story, of course, was told by the Lord Jesus to show us that regardless of how messed up our lives are in sin, God will take us back, wash us and restore us. If we will return to Him in time, that is, when there is still breath in us. (Cf. Luke 15)
However, the story also teaches us of the danger of taking for our use or enjoyment things or positions that we do not yet have the ability to handle. Yes, it may be legitimate for us to have something or to occupy a position. But if we are not yet ready for it, then, we should not be in a hurry to occupy it. Otherwise, as Solomon tells in our opening text, what is meant to be a blessing to us may end up being a curse to our lives.That was the case with the prodigal son. The inheritance that he collected from his father was actually his to have. That was because he was a legitimate son of the man.
However, at the time that he demanded to have his own inheritance, he did not have the character, discipline and wisdom required to maintain it or to multiply it. All that he had enough sense to do was to consume whatever entered his hand.So, it was not long at all after he had taken his own inheritance from his father that he lost it all in riotous living. Then he began to really suffer in life. Thankfully, his father was still alive at the time and also wealthy. Not only that, his father was a compassionate one, one that was actually longing for him to come back home, in spite of the mess he had made with his life.
Otherwise, his return home would have been another tragedy for him.You can, then, see why some people will specify in their wills the ages that their children can begin to enjoy the inheritance or certain good things of life they have made available for them. They do that under the assumption that age will have matured those children and made them ready to obtain, use and enjoy what is legitimately theirs, without destroying themselves with it.But while age often produces physical maturity, it will not automatically produce mental or spiritual maturity. What people give themselves to learning and doing is what will determine how soon they will attain the level of mental or spiritual maturity that they need to be able to handle certain things that are meant for them in life without destroying themselves with these things.
So, instead of merely fixing your eyes on having those beautiful things of life that can be yours or that are meant for you, also fix your eyes on making yourself ready to be able to have, use and keep those things without destroying yourself with them. Otherwise, your possession of certain things that are legitimate and good for you to have may end up being a curse to you, instead of a blessing. So, don’t go for anything too soon, sooner than you are ready for it. Or else, you may harm yourself with it beyond recovery.
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