Do you want to leave a legacy for future generations? Then you should focus on building generational wealth. The Bible can help you get on track to start laying a strong financial foundation for generations to come. In particular, the Book of Proverbs has plenty of insight about how we should think about wealth.
A common theme is the prosperity of the righteous and the downfall of the wicked. Proverbs 15:6 says, “In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked,” and Proverbs 22:16 notes that, “One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.”
However, one of my favorite descriptions of this concept can be found in Proverbs 13:22. It says:
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.”
I like the sound of that! In today’s blog, we will learn how to apply Proverbs 13:22 principles to our lives to achieve generational wealth. We will explore:
1. The Meaning of Leaving a Proverbs 13:22 Legacy
2. Leaving a Legacy of Wisdom and Stewardship
3. How Proverbs 13:22 Leads To Generational Wealth
[Related: What Does The Bible Say About Generational Wealth]
First, we will explore the meaning of Proverbs 13:22.
The Meaning of Leaving a Proverbs 13:22 Legacy
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.”
Everyone wants to leave a legacy. God designed us with a desire to be fruitful, multiply, and make a lasting impact. There is more than one way to leave an inheritance. At WealthBuilders, we want to equip people to impart spiritual and financial legacy.
Building wealth for future generations is a selfless act. It’s like planting a tree you will never eat from. My friend, pastor, and real estate investor Dan Dyer gives one of the best teachings I’ve heard on generational wealth. He poses the following question in response to Proverbs 13:22:
“What if the wealth of the wicked laid up for us is so that we can influence, impart, discover, develop, and deploy the next generation?” Dan asks, “The next generation is our glory and the Lord’s inheritance.”
Leaving a Legacy of Wisdom and Stewardship
In other words, Proverbs 13:22 describes a cycle that applies to leaving a legacy. The righteous attain the wealth of the wicked, and then they use it to leave an inheritance for their children. If those children are not taught how to steward their money, their wealth will fall into the hands of the next righteous generation. This describes what it means to leave a legacy.
It is always interesting to me when Christians feel funny talking about money. There are so many questions surrounding money like, if the righteous are to displace the wealth of the wicked, then why:
- Do millions of Christians experience poverty?
- Does the stock market generate billions of dollars from companies contributing to immoral causes such as abortion?
- Is a profit of $3,000 per second made through p*rnography in the United States?
Like Job, we ask, “why do the wicked prosper, growing old and powerful?” (Job 21:7)
The Tension of Now and Not Yet
When Jesus’ walked this earth, He frequently preached, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom. However, it will not be fully realized until Christ returns. In terms of the Kingdom, we live in the now and not yet. This tension fuels our mission as followers of Christ.
For example, in Christ’s Kingdom, the righteous are blessed, and the wicked do not prosper from their schemes. If we know that is an aspect of Christ’s Kingdom, we should do everything we can to make it a present reality. As Jesus prayed, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
How Proverbs 13:22 Leads To Generational Wealth
Proverbs 13:22 does not mean that God will steal money out of some people’s safes and drop it on the laps of others. To be honest, this is where many prosperity teachers have gone wrong. They tell you that you can prosper, but they do not tell you how to prosper. Money does not rain down from the sky (but if you happen to see that, please let me know.) Jokes aside, wealth in the earth simply changes hands.
Here are 3 ways you can be ready to receive it:
1. Get knowledge to build generational wealth
You need knowledge in order to recognize a good opportunity when it comes to you. I’m preaching to the choir—if you are on the WealthBuilders blog, you’re already hungry for information. That’s a great start! I encourage you to fully commit to the journey. You do not know what you do not know. Consume a steady, well-rounded diet of financial content. Read books, listen to podcasts, subscribe to financial e-newsletters, ask questions, and surround yourself with trusted mentors. The 2024 WealthBuilders Conference is a great place to do what?. If you have not purchased a ticket yet, this is a great time– tickets are just $137 through December 31st. (You can get your WealthBuilders Conference ticket here.)
2. Be faithful and multiply what you have to build generational wealth.
At some point, information must become revelation. Apply the knowledge to the resources you already have. You must steward your current financial responsibilities well before you can handle an increase. In His grace, God will not attract more wealth to your life if you cannot manage what you’ve got.
Nobody built significant wealth by earning and saving. You must learn how to invest. You do not need a lot of money to begin. At its core, investing is just making one into a little (or a lot) more. Here are some ideas:
- Create a budget that allocates room for investing
- Buy undervalued items and flip them for a profit
- Save for a down payment on a personal home. If you’re already a homeowner, save for your first rental property.
- Open a Roth IRA
3. Invest in a biblically responsible way to build generational wealth.
There are systemic reasons why the wicked have wealth in the first place. The stock market is full of companies that support abortion, human trafficking, and p*rnography. When people invest in those companies, more wealth is quite literally handed over to the wicked. However, there is good news: you can be a conscientious investor for the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Biblically Responsible Investing movement is gaining momentum. A Biblically Responsible Investment strategy avoids investments that support causes contrary to a biblical worldview. When you invest in companies that promote human flourishing, you actively transfer money to the righteous.
[Related: How to Invest With Little Money (5 Great Places to Start)]
