George Mueller, a famous leader in the Plymouth Brethren movement, was well known for his work with orphans in England. He did not ask for money or publicize the orphanage’s needs. Many stories describe money or food arriving at exactly the moment it was needed.
A few Evangelicals have taken Mueller’s approach to an extreme. They think that it is wrong to have more than a small amount of savings. They spend or give away nearly all their money every month so that they never have more than a small surplus.
They cite Matt 6:19: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…” They understand the Lord Jesus to mean that saving up for retirement or your children’s inheritance is a lack of faith. It tries to guarantee your own security rather than relying on the Lord.
Some point out that the Bible has no concept of being inactive for twenty or more years while you travel the world and devote yourself mainly to leisure and recreation.
Others suggest that leaving your children a large inheritance is not good for them. These people advocate leaving most of your excess money to charity.
Many Evangelicals, however, think that it is wise to store up money for emergencies, college funds, retirement income, and your kids’ inheritance. They point to a passage like Prov 6:6-8, which tells us to follow the example of the ants, who store up food for the coming winter. This is the approach of Dave Ramsey and others like him. Whereas most Evangelicals are heavily in debt, this approach seeks to eliminate all debt and use reserves to glorify God.
I must admit that while in seminary, Sharon and I were influenced by Larry Burkett’s teachings. He was a forerunner of the Dave Ramsey approach. For years, our only debt was our home. We eventually paid that off and became debt-free.
But what does the Scripture say?
First, many of the greats of the faith were rich, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and Solomon. And they were rich because God blessed them with riches.
Second, the OT commands believers to lay up an inheritance for their children and grandchildren: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children” (Prov 13:22). Paul echoed that sentiment in the NT: “For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children” (2 Cor 12:14).
Third, Prov 6:6-8 and other texts tell the believer to store up funds in times of prosperity so that when the lean times come, the resources are there.
Remember Joseph’s dream about seven fat years followed by seven lean years? He charged 20% taxes during the fat years so that there would be plenty for the lean years. Joseph amassed a great storehouse of grain for Egypt during the seven fat years.
So, what happens if you come to the end of your life and you have a lot more money than you need for an inheritance to your children and grandchildren?
Scripture does not say how much inheritance is too much. I suppose that varies, depending on the children. But the Biblical principle is to invest our money (as well as time and talents) wisely, with eternity in mind. See the Parable of the Minas in Luke 19:11-27. You can even invest your money after you die through provisions you make in your will.
Keep grace in focus, and you will prayerfully consider how best to invest your finances to the glory of God as you anticipate the Lord Jesus’ soon return.
