Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. The happiness of men depends less on their external conditions than on their personal virtues. "A good man is satisfied from himself." The effects of a man's habits are transmitted to his children, and even to their descendants. They derive from his character a sufficient and a permanent inheritance. I. THE INSTRUCTION OF A GOOD MAN IS AN INHERITANCE TO HIS CHILDREN. The habits which a young man acquires under his father's eye are the foundations of his character. Even talents are subordinate to virtues, and good affections are of more importance in human life than the most splendid ornaments of an unprincipled mind. He who adds to good paternal character the principles of liberal knowledge and the views of a liberal mind sends his children into the world with those precious endowments without which the wealth of the rich serves only to render them more conspicuously contemptible or unhappy. Men of the same worth are not equally qualified for the duties of parental tuition, and their children have not the same advantages. But there is a minuteness and an affection in the paternal care of a good man which supplies the lack of many talents. His children venerate his intentions, even where his judgment has failed him. II. THE EXAMPLE OF A GOOD MAN IS AN INHERITANCE TO HIS CHILDREN. The character of a father lies at the foundation of his influence, and the effect of his paternal solicitude depends on it. His habits are his most successful admonitions, and the examples of religion and probity which his children receive from the general tenor of his temper and conduct are his most permanent instructions. If he has convinced his children that he derives his motives and his consolations from the sincerity of his faith, and that he allows no competition to be in his mind betwixt the praise of men and the approbation of God, his example does more to determine their habits than his best instructions. There are certainly defects in all human characters which render our best examples to our children very imperfect. But even habitual errors in a good man are not vices, and defects and infirmities do not prevent the influence of substantial virtues. III. THE CARE AND PROTECTION OF PROVIDENCE ARE AN INHERITANCE TO A GOOD MAN'S CHILDREN. A good man will use his best endeavour to qualify his children for the business and duties of life; but his chief dependence is on Providence. He commits his children to God. His paternal labours are sanctified by prayer. It is an ever-working law that God "shows mercy unto thousands of them that love Him," and to their children after them. The testimony of ages shows that this law has its full effect, and warrants the confidence with which devout men commit their children to God. The influence of God on the circumstances which regulate our lot is real and perpetual, amidst all the irreligion and incredulity of the world. The plan of Providence is not so uniform as to render it certain that the children of good men will be always prosperous, Their own misconduct often determines their conditions; so may errors in their early education; so may the moral discipline which they require. IV. THE KINDNESS OF FAITHFUL MEN IS AN INHERITANCE TO A GOOD MAN'S CHILDREN. Their success in life must in part depend on the assistance and the friendship of other men, and the purposes of Providence in their favour are accomplished by means of those whom God raises up to assist, or to guide them. God selects the instruments of His purpose from all the variety of human characters. Kindness done to the child of a good man may become the means of transmitting virtue and prosperity through successive generations. Practical conclusions: 1. The indispensable obligation of every father to give to his children the inheritance of the faithful. 2. The children of good men ought anxiously to preserve the moral and religious advantages which they have received from their fathers. 3. Every conscientious man should feel a personal obligation to help in ensuring to the children of good men the inheritance bequeathed to them by their fathers. (Sir H. M. Wellwood.) Parallel Verses KJV: A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. |
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