Are You An Heir?

My brother is settling into my deceased sister’s house in Houston, which was her wish for him to do after her passing. It’s not an inheritance to my brother, as that went to my nephew, but it opened the door for him to rent it for as long as he wants it. Well, it’s been a year and he still hasn’t moved everything from California to Texas yet, which he admittedly confessed to me last weekend – he should have made this move a long time ago. He is currently on his last round trip, and on his way west stopped by my house and stayed for the annual Peanut Festival Parade, then in his usual manner refocused on the bigger picture, got in his truck, and headed for the west coast, not to return until the end of next month. It amazes me how death can dramatically change the lives of the living.

You’ve probably never heard of her, but, Henrietta Garrett of Philadelphia passed away in 1930 at the age of 81. Only two of the less than a dozen people who attended her funeral on the wet gloomy day in November could be classed as relatives. She was a woman unknown to fame and the world. Later, in the 1950’s, the probate court broke the news that this woman had no children and had no will. It was learned that at her death she left a fortune of seventeen million dollars. Only then did thousands rise up to call her blessed. In the twenty-five years that had passed, the estate had grown to thirty million dollars, and twenty-six thousand people then claimed to be heirs. It seemed that everyone wanted a piece of the Garrett Snuff fortune and would do most anything to be heir. (For those of you who are younger, snuff was a powdered tobacco inhaled through the nose by users). As in most cases of this type, even today, the lawyers got most of the money.

[1Peter 1:3-5] While most of us will never see that kind of money, we nevertheless can have a greater claim. Have you considered what it means to be a child of God? Jesus gave His life on the cross for us – In His Word He tells us to live for Him. If you ask, most claim to believe in God – but we must not only believe in God, we must believe God! The words of the apostle Paul read: “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are God’s 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” (Romans 8:16-17).

Some years ago Paul Harvey reported that a poll indicated just 27.4 percent (about 20% today) of the people in this country attend worship services at least once a week. That’s less than one-fourth! There are many legitimate things such as illness, health, necessary work, and other things that can prevent us from attending worship. Yet, some seem more concerned with business, entertainment, sports and “what I want to do” than they are in the precious gift of eternal life offered through our Lord and Savior. Worship is a time to strengthen our faith, grow in knowledge, and learn more about both His love and His wrath. God wants us to worship Him (John 4:23) and we should be anxious to honor and praise Him as we assemble together each Lord’s Day. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Then we will someday stand at the throne of God and joyfully sing, “How Beautiful Heaven Really Is”! & “What a Day That Will Be”! That’s the destiny of Christians – to be glorified with Christ! The will is probated (Hebrews 9:11-28) and you can lay claim to glory. Are you an heir?