The Most Valuable "Heirloom" Of All

“My great-grandfather owned this fiddle,” my friend said proudly. In his hand was a mint-condition fiddle from the days when the pioneers were moving across the American West. As I admired its beautiful finish and craftsmanship, he continued, “It was handed down to my grandfather, who passed it on to my father, who gave it to me. It’s been in the family more than 100 years. I’m going to give it to my son when he turns 21.”

We give a lot of thought to what we pass on to our children. My late wife cherished the crystal and chinaware that belonged to her grandmother. It may be something different in your home: a rolltop desk, a handmade quilt, or an old family Bible. Heirlooms are important to us.

But by the example of our lives, we can pass on to our children even more important and lasting heirlooms — such as a good name or honorable character (Ecclesiastes 7:1; Acts 23:1; Acts 24:16; 2 Timothy 1:3). The values we leave “in” our children are far more important than the valuables we leave “to” them.

As an example, Timothy’s grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice were obedient to the teachings of our Lord and taught Timothy to do the same (2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:14-15).

Dear reader, as we think about those heirlooms we’ll pass on to our children and grandchildren, let’s not forget the godly influence of our lives (2 Corinthians 1:12 ESV). It’s the most valuable “heirloom” of all.

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets