Heirs of God
Romans 8:17: Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.
Warren Buffett famously announced in 2006 that he planned to give 99% of his $100 billion to charity. He said he would provide for his children, and he has, setting up $2 billion dollar trust for each of them according to a 2014 Washington Post article. Few of us can relate to having a $2 billion trust in our names. That’s an unfathomable amount of money. But let’s adjust those numbers to amounts regular people can understand. If your parents were worth $1 million (still a lot of money, but not uncommon for people to amass), you’d inherit 1%, or $10,000. That’s nice, but it’s not life-changing money by any stretch.
When reporters asked Buffett why he was only leaving his children 1% of his fortune, he said, “After much observation of super-wealthy families, here’s my recommendation: “Leave the children enough so that they can do anything, but not enough that they can do nothing.” He’s not being mean to his kids. He said of his wealth, “Over many decades I have accumulated an almost incomprehensible sum simply by doing what I love to do. I’ve made no sacrifice, nor has my family. Compound interest, a long runway, wonderful associates, and our incredible country have simply worked their magic. Society has a use for my money; I don’t.”
Buffett’s $100 billion is an unimaginable sum. With it, you could buy every National Football League team. With just half his fortune, you could buy the Palace of Versailles, Buckingham Palace, and the White House. You could spend the other half on the Louvre and everything in it. Even so, $100 billion is still a finite amount of money.
When we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, Romans 8:17 says we become heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. It’s hard to imagine being an heir of the Creator of the universe. When we become heirs of God, our inheritance is not limited because God’s estate is infinite. Infinite means, “without limit, endless.” God’s blessings are infinite blessings because our inheritance is not material but spiritual. If we are members of God’s family, we are heirs of everything God can give.
What will we inherit as heirs?
Eternal life: It’s hard for us to imagine what eternal life means. It’s not only that it lasts forever, but it’s complete, non-stop joy in the presence of Jesus, worshipping forever.
Freedom from sin, suffering, tears: Revelation 21 says God will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no suffering, tears, or death.
Heaven: Heaven is the place where God dwells. He invites us to His home there. Jesus promised He has prepared a place for us there in John 14. We can’t comprehend all God has prepared for us. We’ll be with God and Jesus in heaven for all eternity.
New bodies: Our bodies will no longer be subject to decay, pain, suffering and death. They will do things we can’t imagine. We will never get out of bed in the morning complaining of another backache! Our bodies will never fail us or let us down. No more cancer, no more weight struggles, eyeglasses, hearing aids. We will be whole for all eternity. $100 billion is a lot of money, but it’s nothing compared to God’s riches.
As wealthy as Warren Buffett is, he can only give each dollar once. That's true of all earthly assets. The executor carves the assets of the deceased and distributes them to the beneficiaries. Let’s say the value of the estate is $1 million dollars and there are five children. Each gets 20%, or $200,000. God’s assets are not like human assets. God can give 100% of His assets to each of His children. God’s assets are immeasurable and inexhaustible. It all belongs to you if you believe. That’s the difference between the world’s economy and God’s.