Bible Questions and Answers

Scripture makes the assumption that parents will leave an inheritance to their children.

Usually the inheritance was divided amongst the sons, with the eldest receiving a double portion.

This was observed by Abraham

Genesis 25:5 And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. 6 But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.

It was regulated in the Law given to Moses:

Deuteronomy 21:15 If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated: 16 Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn: 17  But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.

Numbers 27:8 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. 9 And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. 10 And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father’s brethren. 11 And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Solomon writes:

Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children…

In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15), the prodigal takes his inheritance early and squanders it.

Luke 15:12  And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

Everything that was left then belonged to his brother on the death of his parents.

Luke 15:31  And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

Those who believe the gospel and are baptised into Jesus Christ are not under the Law given to Moses, but the principle remains.

2 Corinthians 12:14  Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

If we love our children, we will leave them an inheritance according to our means.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn