Have you ever heard of the acronym D.I.N.K.? Sarah and I were D.I.N.K.s our first year of marriage. There is a lot of freedom to being D.I.N.K.s. Double Income No Kids. Being married, getting two paychecks, not many financial responsibilities. Many of you have (or currently) probably had the luxury of being D.I.N.K.s at one point in your life.
I am naturally a learner. I love learning, and making the most thought-through decisions. I took considerable amount of time trying to learn on the best way to start saving or investing for retirement/our kids education, and other things of the like. The Word says, “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.” (Proverbs 13:22)
Stand on the backs, and hard work of our fathers is the way God designed His kingdom to operate. Fathers (while the roles of moms and dads are different, when I write “fathers” it includes both parents) have the ability to allow their ceiling to be the foundation for their children.
Our finances have been the same as they have last year as they have the last 24 years in which God, our Father in heaven, has always provided, and He won’t fail in the future. But since we moved to the field, our finances have looked different. There are times more often than not that I get caught worrying. Sometimes its just the spiritual atmosphere here. Money is worshiped here; everyone is looking for ways to get rich all the time.
Other times though its because our way of life requires a little more faith not to worry. We are financially provided by God (as we have always been) but its through the means of the sacrifice of many people who have a like mind and heart that want to see God worshiped and adored in all nations. Paul exhorts those who work by the Gospel to live by it as well. It is certainly more fun in ways, but it is also at times nerve wrecking because of the nature of how that works. Older missionaries I have talked to seem to be at complete peace all the time, and maybe as time continues those worries will seems vain to me. The majority of the time its not a worry, but I do have my moments.
One thing that I have thought on and off is how we will be able to leave an inheritance for our children. We don’t have children yet, but it is still helpful to think about these things now, and from every expert I have read, the advice is often the same, start early.
As I was thinking and fighting to keep my fears at bay, God spoke to me this little nugget:
“You are leaving an inheritance in the spirit that is rare. Your children will benefit from the paths that you are trudging right now in My kingdom. I will have even more reason to bless them for your sake. The spiritual ground you have gained and will gain will be given to them, I promise.”
Wow! When the Lord speaks He just knows what to say right? I have joy because as we follow Jesus, our kids will be Elishas, and available to them will be a double portion of the things we labored for. Solomon didn’t have to work all the wisdom he had. Much of it was given to him from his father, and in the spirit Solomon stood on the ceiling of his father David.
I would love to leave my children a financial inheritance. I fully believe in the goodness in that. But what is even more rare is leaving your children a rich spiritual inheritance.
Today I came across this while reading Paul’s letter to Timothy:
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6)
There are two types of investments you can make:
1. Invest money in a business/mutual fund/savings etc… (Which can be a very good thing to do)
2. Invest yourself (time, emotion, work, strength, money, relationships) into God’s kingdom.
I think both are wise, but #2 is certain. There is no risk involved, and there is much higher return. The trick is actually having the faith to believe. I am convinced we have enough reason to hold God true to His word.
In saying all of that, I am happy. I am happy to be following God. And I am happy that our children will benefit from the investments we have made already, and the investments we will make into God’s kingdom in the future. They will be blessed, and they will have the choice to drink from the wells dug by our hands.
I want to ask you this:
What inheritance are you leaving for your children?
Thank for this! As a parent whom God has called to live in a foreign country for His Kingdom’s sake, I’ve often thought of what our kids are going through. There’s a lot of sacrifice they’re making and a lot of loss they’re going through. I’ve wondered if it was “wise”. What God has spoken to you is an encouragement to me – especially in regards to the difficulties our family is going through right now. Thanks for sharing the things God is speaking to you!
Awesome! Lets Skype soon! Praying for you guys as you are getting settled (again lol). I feel like being a missionary, you cant escape that transition phase. But God is are home. Love you and miss you. Sarah and I both!