Inheritance and Marriage: A Conversation Guardians Shouldn't Shy Away From.

Let’s circle back to our inheritance conversation (previously on this thoughtline... https://mapstage.blogspot.com/2025/01/inheritance-wasters.html) before I get too deep into Ramadan prayers for our Muslim friends.  

This year, I’ve been doing an in-depth study of a few books of the Bible, and Genesis has been quite the eye-opener. One thing stands out—God was working in a family and through a family. The covenant He made with Abraham wasn’t a solo project; it carried through to his son Isaac, then to Jacob, and eventually, many generations later, brought forth the Messiah. Clearly, family matters to God.  

Now, today I was reading Genesis 24 and noticed something striking—it contains the last recorded words of Abraham. And guess what? His final words were not about himself, his wealth, or his retirement plan. Instead, he was giving instructions about something that would shape his son's future—MARRIAGE. He called his most trusted servant and made him swear (yes, hand-under-thigh kind of serious swearing) that Isaac would not marry just any Canaanite woman. Instead, the servant was to travel back to Abraham’s homeland to find a suitable wife.  

Now, in today’s world, that might seem like outdated matchmaking. But let’s be honest—every guardian still dreams of seeing their child marry well because marriage is a big deal. It can either multiply an inheritance or turn it into a tragic episode of “We Started from the Top, Now We Here”.

How many friends have we seen build successful careers, businesses, and ministries, only for one bad marriage decision to leave them broke, broken, and wondering what happened? Even Solomon, the guy with wisdom on wholesale, ended up regretting some of his marriage choices (1 Kings 11:4). If the wisest man in history struggled, how much more should we, as guardians, take this seriously?  

So, as we prepare our children to handle an inheritance, we should also prepare them to handle marriage. Here are four key lessons I see from Abraham’s approach:  

1. Involve God First.

Abraham didn’t just rely on personal wisdom—he trusted God to send His angel ahead (Genesis 24:7). His servant, too, was prayerful and asked God for a clear sign in finding the right woman (Genesis 24:12-14). Today, we may not be sending camels to the well, but prayer is still a powerful guide. Teaching our children to seek God’s wisdom before jumping into marriage can save them from heartaches, lawyers, and unnecessary midlife crises.  

2. Involve Guardians (Yes, You!)

Abraham wasn’t hands-off about his son’s marriage. He was involved, deliberate, and wise. Some might say, “But Isaac was a grown man—why not let him choose?” Well, maybe Isaac did have a say, but he still honored his father’s involvement. In fact, when Rebekah arrived, he didn’t reject her; he embraced the choice and was comforted after his mother’s death (Genesis 24:67).  

As guardians, our presence, counsel, and blessing matter. It’s not about forcing choices but about offering wisdom. If we don’t engage, the world will—through questionable dating trends, TikTok relationship experts, and reality shows that define “love” as a temporary contract.

3. Involve Gifts (Yes, Money Talks!)

Let’s not ignore the power of generosity in this story. The servant didn’t show up empty-handed—he came loaded with gifts (Genesis 24:53). And let’s be real—Laban, Rebekah’s brother, probably became extra friendly the moment he saw the gold bracelets.  

What’s the lesson? Teach your children financial responsibility. Help them understand that marriage is not just about vows; it’s also about values—including hard work, saving, and giving. Proverbs 21:20 reminds us that “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” Let them learn to build wealth before they build a wedding guest list.

4. Involve the Government (Yes, Paperwork Matters!)

Now, while Abraham didn’t register Isaac’s marriage at the Canaan Lands Office, our modern world operates differently. With shifting cultural norms, we’re seeing a rise in traditional and customary weddings, which is fine. But regardless of how they choose to wed—whether in a church, a garden, or under a mango tree—the marriage must be legally recognized.  

A marriage certificate is not just a piece of paper; it’s a safeguard. It protects the couple, secures inheritance rights, and reminds us that “What God has joined together” (Mark 10:9) is not undone by loopholes in the law. Let’s encourage our children to do things the l/right way.

One day, our children will inherit what we leave behind. But more importantly, they will inherit OUR VALUES. The question is, are we equipping them with the wisdom to manage both marriage and material wealth?  

As Abraham knew, marriage shapes destiny. So let’s not be shy about guiding our children in good time. Because at the end of the day, inheritance without wisdom is like handing a toddler the car keys—disaster waiting to happen.

Over to you, dear guardian. Are you preparing your children for both wealth and weddings?