What does the Bible say about our inheritance?
The inventor of the snack food Pringles, Fredric Baur, dying wish was to be cremated and then buried in a Pringles can. It’s a bizarre request, but in 2008, his children honored his wish by burying some of his ashes in a Pringles can.
Scripture doesn’t specify how Christians are to be buried, but it does tell us of the many wonderful benefits we have as believers in Jesus Christ. One of the greatest benefits is our inheritance in Christ. Unlike anything we could receive on earth, this inheritance is eternal. It’s better than any Pringles can burial. Scripture says it’s unfading and secure. Let’s dig deeper into what scripture has to say about our biblical inheritance.
What Was A Biblical Inheritance in the Old Testament?
Years ago, when a mother died, she left equal inheritance of her house and possessions to each of her four children. During the funeral, three of the children attended, but the fourth was busy clearing out her mother’s house of every piece of furniture, including a prized player piano. Not surprisingly, it caused a family rift for decades.
In the Old Testament, we read about biblical inheritance and the promised covenant to the Jewish people. Just like the story, these promises have led to hundreds of years of friction between those who wanted the inheritance and those who received it. This struggle continues to this day.
Physical inheritance
According to the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), a biblical inheritance was receiving the land God promised to his covenant people, the Jews. Starting with Abraham and continuing through Moses, God led His people to the land of Canaan, the land he promised. The land was divided between the twelve tribes of Israel, with each tribe receiving part of the land. The Levites, the priests of the Lord, received cities, but their true inheritance was seen as belonging to the Lord.
And I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land where you live as a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”(Genesis 17:8 NASB)
Then the Lord showed Himself to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your children and to your children’s children.” So Abram built an altar there to the Lord Who had shown Himself to him. (Genesis 12:7 NLT)
From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. No one will be able to oppose you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not desert you nor abandon you. (Joshua 1:4-5 NASB)
Spiritual inheritance
We also read in the Hebrew scriptures that God’s people received a spiritual inheritance from God Himself. He was their God, and they were his people. Promises and blessings were given to Abraham. One such blessing was the promise of an heir. He believed, and God viewed his faith as righteousness.
And he brought him (Abraham) outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:5-6 ESV)
I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.(Genesis 12:2-3 NLT)
Inheritance laws in the Old Testament
Specific Mosaic laws were laid out in the Old Testament for God’s people.
Firstborn sons receive a double portion
.. but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the firstfruits of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his. (Deuteronomy 21:17 ESV)
If there are no sons
Say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance to his daughter. (Numbers 27:8 NIV)
Of course, many of these laws and promises remained in effect during Jesus’ time. But Jesus brought into being another inheritance for those who believe.
And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. (Hebrews 1:2 NLT)
So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath. (Hebrews 6:17 ESV)
How do you become a Christian and receive this inheritance?
It’s important to note that only Christians receive this inheritance. A Christian believes that Jesus is the Savior of the world, who took upon Himself the punishment for sin. This belief is called faith. We receive Christ by faith, not by doing good deeds.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)
As Christians, we are privileged to be called the children of God. He is our Father in heaven who cares for us better than any earthly father ever could.
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12 NLT)
As children of God, we receive an inheritance because of Christ’s death on the cross, which made it possible for us to come to God. We receive our inheritance through Christ.
so that, having been justified by his (Christ’s) grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:7 NIV)
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, (Ephesians 1:11 ESV)
What is Biblical Inheritance?
An earthly inheritance typically involves receiving money or property from someone who has passed away, as specified in their will, which outlines how their assets should be distributed.
Our biblical inheritance extends beyond what anyone on earth could ever give us. It isn’t money or land but the promise of living eternally with Christ. When we die, we enter into his presence and live forever with him and all those who put their faith and trust in Jesus. Scripture says that heaven is a place where there is no suffering, no tears, or pain. There’s no death or sin. It’s a place of total happiness. As believers, our Biblical inheritance is a hope of heaven and life on a newly created Earth.
Randy Alcorn, author of the well-known book Heaven, describes a Christian’s future in this way.
If you’re a child of God, you do not just “go around once” on Earth. You don’t get just one earthly life. You get another-one far better and without end. You’ll inhabit the New Earth! You’ll live with the God you cherish and the people you love as an undying person on an undying Earth.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, (1 Peter 1:3-4 NKJV)
What is our inheritance versus our rewards?
Scripture speaks of biblical inheritance and the biblical rewards. What is the difference?
Biblical inheritance
We receive our biblical inheritance when we are born again by faith in Christ’s work on the cross. In scripture, it’s called being born again as heirs in Christ. This inheritance lasts forever; it won’t change. It’s a settled reality, a done deal.
…having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18 RSV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, (1 Peter 1:3-4 ESV)
Eternal Rewards
Eternal rewards can be found in our future inheritance based on how we lived our lives on earth. They are based on our actions on earth to store up eternal treasures or rewards.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal… (Matthew 6:19-20 NASB)
Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:21 ESV)
According to Jesus, his followers should store up treasures by being generous with what God has given us.
“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. (Luke 12:32-33 NLT)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)
Can we lose our inheritance?
Have you heard the story about the dog that received $12 million from its owner after she passed away? Wild inheritance stories prevail, with many of them ending in family feuds over who receives the largest amount of cash or property. Fortunately, for Christians, there is no worry about receiving our inheritance from Christ. It’s a sure thing, but can we lose this inheritance?
According to scripture, just as Christians can’t lose their salvation, they can’t lose their inheritance. Here are some reasons why.
- It’s a gift from God- Our inheritance is from God. He gifts it to believers in Christ.
- It won’t spoil- Our inheritance is eternal.
- Secure-God keeps it for us. It can’t be taken away from us, and we can’t lose it.
What Are Other Blessings of Our Inheritance?
Early inheritances don’t last. They often lead to strife among those who inherit the property. Unlike early inheritances, our biblical inheritance is an everlasting one. As Christians, our biblical inheritance provides us with other blessings.
Holy Spirit as a promise
God gave us His Holy Spirit, the third member of the Trinity, as a sign or guarantee of our salvation.
And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. (Ephesians 1:13-14 NLT)
Joint Heirs with Christ
As Christians, we are also called joint heirs with Christ.
and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:17 NASB)
That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant. ((Hebrews 9:15 NLT)
And now I entrust you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Acts 20:32 NASB)
Conclusion
We receive our biblical inheritance when we put our faith and trust in Christ’s work on the cross, where He took upon Himself the punishment we deserved. Salvation isn’t about us. It’s not something we do. This great salvation assures us of our inheritance in Christ. It’s a secure, unspoiled inheritance we can never lose. Within our inheritance are eternal rewards that God promises to us as we live for Him and His purposes. This great assurance of our inheritance in Christ goes beyond any earthly inheritance we could ever receive.
