Our Inheritance

When Ben Rea of the United Kingdom died in 1988, he left $12.5 million of his fortune to his cat Blackie, who became the wealthiest cat in the world. Ben Rea was a millionaire recluse. He was an antiques dealer from Dorney, England, who shared his old, musty mansion with 15 cats. Eventually all the cats died off … except for his favorite, Blackie.

Rea did not have as much affection for humans, however, feeling that everyone was simply out to get his money. By the time he died of a heart attack at age 82, he had worked all his family out of his will. He didn’t leave one single cent to any relative; instead, he bequeathed it all to Blackie—who enjoyed a pampered life while Rea’s relatives steamed with anger.

Though God shares Rea’s affection for furry felines, His attitude toward human beings is a little different. He doesn’t look at us with a suspicious eye—but with a longing eye. It was this precise reason that God sent His Son. When we were poor, in need, and without strength, God sent Jesus to this world to die on our behalf—even for His “relatives,” whose attitudes toward Him weren’t exactly pure. And thus, when Jesus died, He didn’t bequeath His inheritance to animals but to humans.

The Psalmist declares, “For the Lord will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance” (Psalms 94:14). We can rest in the assurance that God will never turn us away. He will never forsake us. Our inheritance in Him is guaranteed.

Key Bible Texts

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV)