Keepers of the Inheritance
In the Deep South it isn’t unusual for a farm to stay in the same family for generations. It is passed on from parent to child only to see this process repeated over and again. Generation after generation become ” keepers of the inheritance.” This treasured tradition is a fine thing if we are talking about the family farm.
There are many things other than farms inherited from our families. We inherit our physical traits, our mental abilities, and to some degree even our personalities. One of the inheritances we take for granted is our religious heritage. Although we are beginning to see some change in this regard, we often are what we are religiously because we have inherited our thoughts, beliefs, and even our doctrinal positions from our families. In essence we become “keepers of the inheritance” religiously.
Is this a good thing? If we never question what we have inherited religiously are we pleasing to God? In regard to an inherited farm, we try to keep it in perfect shape. We make sure the fences are mended, the barns painted, and the pastures mowed. We wouldn’t dream of doing anything detrimental to the farm. Is the responsibility the same for our religion? Must we “plow the same ground” over and over again doctrinally? If granddad plowed with a mule, must we also plow with a mule? If great-granddad never rotated his crops must we do the same even when we know this isn’t the best way to build the soil?
Passing a farm from generation to generation is an honorable thing. In regard to our soul, inheritance is not always such a grand thing. We need to mold our views of God based on our study and scholarship, not on the basis of what we have inherited. There are too many who are simply “keepers of the inheritance”.
There are many things other than farms inherited from our families. We inherit our physical traits, our mental abilities, and to some degree even our personalities. One of the inheritances we take for granted is our religious heritage. Although we are beginning to see some change in this regard, we often are what we are religiously because we have inherited our thoughts, beliefs, and even our doctrinal positions from our families. In essence we become “keepers of the inheritance” religiously.
Is this a good thing? If we never question what we have inherited religiously are we pleasing to God? In regard to an inherited farm, we try to keep it in perfect shape. We make sure the fences are mended, the barns painted, and the pastures mowed. We wouldn’t dream of doing anything detrimental to the farm. Is the responsibility the same for our religion? Must we “plow the same ground” over and over again doctrinally? If granddad plowed with a mule, must we also plow with a mule? If great-granddad never rotated his crops must we do the same even when we know this isn’t the best way to build the soil?
Passing a farm from generation to generation is an honorable thing. In regard to our soul, inheritance is not always such a grand thing. We need to mold our views of God based on our study and scholarship, not on the basis of what we have inherited. There are too many who are simply “keepers of the inheritance”.
