With the untimely death of singer/actor Michael Jackson, his children became the inheritors of a vast fortune. Even if they know they are rich, they are not yet old enough to understand the value of such wealth, let alone manage it. Therefore the court will be appointing a suitable guardian to manage that fortune in their behalf. If the chosen managers do well, the children will be blessed. They will learn the value of what their father gave them and the inheritance will provide them a great future at least in the materialistic sense. If the guardians and managers fail to teach the Jackson children the value and blessing this gift could be, then the outcome will be far different. Instead of being a great blessing the gift could end up destroying them and they would lose a great future.
God gave us an even greater inheritance when He used our parents to bring us to the waters of Holy Baptism. It was in Baptism God promised all Christians the gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life. But in order for them to completely and fully benefit from the inheritance God gave us as small children (or even adults) we needed (and maybe still do) guardians and teachers to guide them in understanding the value and proper use of this gift of faith in Jesus. If we take seriously the value of the gift we've received and we do well, then we will grow to receive all the blessings and advantages God has given in this inheritance and we will benefit for eternity. However, if we fail to grasp and understand the value of our inheritance in Jesus, either we will neglect and minimize this treasure or through the deception of the enemy this treasure will be stolen and lost to us. Without it our eternity will be lost.
Consider how many people have lost or given up great wealth because they did realize what it was worth. Great inventors have died poor because someone else stole their idea and reaped the benefits. God set up the church to provide us a resource to keep the value of our faith ever before our eyes, so that we won't lose it.
Blessings & Peace,
Pastor John
Hebrews 13:20-21
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