USE YOUR INHERITANCE

The inheritance promised to us as human beings is ETERNAL LIFE. This is the promise that God made to us, and we receive it when we place our trust in Jesus Christ. The person who believes in JESUS CHRIST becomes an heir to all of God’s promises, including the ultimate promise of eternal life. However, the full realization of this inheritance has not yet arrived. In the spiritual sense, however, we have already been chosen as heirs. This is similar to how a child might be designated as an heir before the time to inherit arrives. The Apostle Paul, writing in Romans 8:17 (NIV), explains this idea:

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

When the time comes, after this earthly life has ended, everything will be handed over to us. Jesus Himself received all authority from the Father after completing His work on the cross.

As Matthew 28:18 (NIV) states: “

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’”

But here’s the reality: this inheritance can be bought, and it can also be sold.

The Bible clearly teaches that salvation and eternal life come at a cost though that cost is not something we can pay with money. It is, rather, a matter of willingness to follow Christ, as seen in Mark 10:17-21 (NIV):

Mark 10:17:

“As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up to Him and fell on his knees before Him. ‘Good Teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’”

18: “Why do you call Me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good except God alone.”

19:

“You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

20: “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

21: Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” He said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

In this passage, we see that in order to inherit eternal life, a person must be willing to give up their worldly attachments. The act of “selling” means to release your heart from things that you once held dear whether it’s wealth, status, education, or sinful pleasures. Jesus isn’t condemning these things per se; rather, He’s asking, “Where does your heart truly lie?” As Matthew 6:21 (NIV) states:

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

When you release your heart from these things, you experience a new life life in Christ. This is precisely what the Apostle Paul experienced. He wrote in Philippians 3:7-8 (NIV):

Philippians 3:7:

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.”

8: “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”

This highlights a powerful theological truth: In Christ, we find something far more precious than anything this world has to offer. The call to follow Jesus comes with the cost of laying down everything our past, our ambitions, our sins. Jesus calls us to “sell” what we’ve placed above Him to gain something infinitely more valuable: a relationship with God and eternal life.

The kingdom of heaven, however, can be sold and sometimes for a very small price. This happens when a person who was once given the grace to know Christ rejects that grace, turns away from it, and chooses the world. In Matthew 13:44-46 (NIV), Jesus tells two parables about the value of the kingdom of heaven:

Matthew 13:44:

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

45: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

Here, Jesus illustrates the immense value of the kingdom, but He also warns that it requires everything. On the flip side, the kingdom can be abandoned, just as Judas Iscariot sold his place among the apostles for thirty pieces of silver (see Matthew 26:14-16). Judas chose temporary riches over eternal life, and his place was taken by Matthias (see Acts 1:26).

Similarly, Esau sold his birthright for a single meal, a momentary pleasure, and this act is condemned in Hebrews 12:16-17 (NIV):

Hebrews 12:16:

“See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.”

17:

“Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.”

Esau’s choice represents those who forgo their inheritance for the fleeting pleasures of the world. Later, when he regretted his decision, it was too late. The inheritance could not be reclaimed, just as Judas and Esau could not undo their choices.

There is a powerful lesson in these stories: Do not sell your inheritance for the temporary pleasures of this world. As 1 John 2:17 (NIV) warns:

“the world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

Instead, let us seek the kingdom of God, and be willing to give up everything for the sake of Christ. As Matthew 13:44 and Luke 14:33 teach us, the kingdom of God is worth everything we have. May we hold on to the eternal, and not be swayed by the temporary.

When we make this choice, our joy will be complete. Revelation 21:4 (NIV) promises: