Biblical view about Inheritance

NB: No claims of absolute originality are made for this material...

Esau sells his birthright: Genesis 25: 19 – 34. ref: Rev. Charmaine Braatvedt
13th July 2008
The story of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob can be understood on a number of levels.
It is a story of sibling rivalry and parental favouritism.
about the dangers of being overly ambitious
It is a story that reveals to us that God uses flawed people to progress his plans and that he frequently reverses human rules to suit his plans.
It is a story about the mean spiritedness that is part of the human condition but
it is also a story about values and about the need to hold on to good and right God given values in life.

Esau and Jacob were non identical twins born to Rebekah, Isaac’s wife. They were born within seconds of each other, but Esau was the first born and as such was entitled to certain privileges.

The eldest son customarily received

· a double portion in the division of the inheritance;

· the right to lead the household and

· the obligation to take on certain spiritual responsibilities on behalf of the family.

This was still the time before the advent of priests and so the spiritual responsibilities that the eldest son had were that he had:



· to do temple service,

· build the family’s altar and

· officiate at its worship and sacrifice.

· The eldest son also had to transmit God’s word and his promises to the family.



So it was that the firstborn’s inheritance had a strong spiritual component to it.

Now Esau was a hunter while Jacob was a farmer.

One day Esau suddenly appeared from one of his hunting excursions, hungry as, and asked Jacob for some of the red lentil stew/soup that Jacob was cooking up.

Jacob, ever the opportunist and uncooperative younger brother, played hard to get and demanded that Esau sell him his birthright first before he would hand over any of the delicious stew.

So far this will be quite familiar to most of you here, there is nothing particularly unusual in these family dynamics but,

then that the story takes a shocking turn as Esau makes a rash judgement and utters those outrageous words:

“What good is the birthright to me?”

With that he hands over his inheritance as first born to his younger twin brother, all for a bowl of lentil stew!!

I wonder whether any one of you has ever given up something that was rightfully yours?

Perhaps you did so for the common good.

Perhaps you did so unselfishly for the good of someone else.

Whichever, I’m sure it was a very painful thing to do.

Esau’s decision to give up his birthright was made doubly more heart wrenching because he gave up something so very valuable, for a miserable bowl of stew.

He ripped himself off and he would live to regret it all the days of his life. And he seemed to do so without an ounce of remorse

The bible tells us that ‘he ate and drank and then got up and left’.

The passage concludes with the terse statement of judgement that:

“Esau despised his birthright”.

And so the text focuses our attention on the unworthiness of what Esau has done and we are free to conclude that

Esau.
was a short sighted man who had no insight into what he was giving away.
had flawed judgment in that he gives away something so valuable in exchange for so little.
Did not understand the spiritual value of his birth right .
could not see beyond his physical needs and thus he bartered away his unspeakably holy and precious privileges.
clearly had no respect for his inheritance. He had done nothing to earn it and consequently did not appreciate it.
Was a man who dashed through the needs of the moment and rejected the future for the present.
Had limited spiritual insight and so could give up the unseen for the seen.
Had low emotional intelligence for he could not delay gratification in the interests of a more worthy cause.

“What good is a birthright if I have to wait for it?”

Some times we are too much like Esau in the choices we make, where we place our priorities and what we value.

Sometimes we need to be reminded of what is really important in life lest like Esau we sell our souls for a figurative bowl of soup.

In Hebrews 9:15 we read:

“For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance –”

Like Esau we who are followers of Christ are heirs to a spiritual inheritance that we have not earned.

It is has been given to us by grace and it is precious and it has eternal value.

And yet how easily we take for granted:

The faith we share through Christ and which is the basis of our relationship with God,

our Christian tradition within the community of Christ’s Church

and the word of God which has been given to us through the Scriptures?

These three: Faith, the Church and the Scriptures are an inheritance that will ensure the wellbeing of our very souls.

Yet we so easily take it all for granted, or fail to value it or exchange it for a life style that is not nearly as worthy.

King Ahab and Naboth's Vineyard : 1 Kings 21
Naboth refused to part with the vineyard, because it was the inheritance of his fathers, that is to say, on religious grounds, because the sale of a paternal inheritance was forbidden in the law (Leviticus 25:23-28; Numbers 36:7.). He was therefore not merely at liberty as a personal right to refuse the king's proposal, but bound by the commandment of God.

Son Demands His Share of inheritance: Luke 15:21
The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

Then What does the Bible say about parents leaving an inheritance for their children? (http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-inheritance.html)

Answer: Inheritance was the gift of honor and support given by a patriarch to his sons (and sometimes daughters). It was meant for the provision and status of the family. Most of the occurrences of inheritance in the first half of the Old Testament refer to God bestowing the Promised Land on the Israelites—the Heavenly Father providing for His sons and daughters. Because the land was given by God to the individual families, the people were not allowed to dispose of their land permanently. If they needed to sell it, it was to be returned during the year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:23-38). The Bible laid out specific guidelines for inheriting family property: the eldest son was to inherit a double portion (Deuteronomy 21:15-17); if there were no sons, daughters were allowed to inherit their father's land (Numbers 27:8); in the absence of direct heirs, a favored servant or a more distant kinsman could inherit the land (Genesis 15:2; Numbers 27:9-11). At no time could the land pass to another tribe. The point of passing on the land was to ensure the extended family had a means of support and survival. Inheritance was assumed, and only Proverbs 13:22 speaks of it as a particular virtue.

The New Testament does not speak of a physical inheritance but rather a spiritual inheritance. In fact, in Luke 12:13-21, Jesus downplays the importance of an earthly inheritance, explaining that it can lead to greed and an obsession with wealth. It is far better to store up treasures in heaven. Our inheritance, like the Israelites’, is from God (Acts 20:32; Ephesians 1:11, 14, 18). And, like Abraham (Hebrews 11:8, 13), we will not receive our inheritance in this lifetime (1 Peter 1:4). What is this inheritance? Psalm 37:11 and Matthew 5:5 say it’s the whole earth. James 2:5 says it’s the kingdom of God, and Hebrews 11:16 calls it a heavenly country. First Corinthians 2:9 says it is so wonderful, that "eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him." And Revelation 21 describes a new heaven and new earth where God will dwell among His people and take away tears, mourning, pain, and death.

As believers, we are not bound to the Old Testament law. Instead, we are to follow the two greatest commandments—love God and love others (Matthew 22:34-36). The Old Testament offers practical examples as to how to fulfill the greatest commandments. In regards to inheritance, it's the example of parents ensuring their family is cared for after their death. In modern times, this doesn't necessarily mean land, or even material possessions. It can include imparting a good character, ensuring children have an education, or training them in a profession. But, when most people thinking of parents leaving an inheritance for their children, it is in regards to material possessions. The Bible definitely supports the idea of parents leaving their material possessions/wealth/property to their children. At the same time, parents should not feel obligated to save up everything for their children’s inheritance, neglecting themselves in the process. It should never be a matter of guilt or obligation. Rather, it should be an act of love, a final way of expressing your love and appreciation to children. Most importantly, however, is the parents’ responsibility to make sure children are aware of the inheritance they will receive if they follow Christ. Parents are to teach their children about God's expectations (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Ephesians 6:4) and bring their children to Christ (Mark 10:14). In this way, parents can provide for their children in the greatest way possible.

in Conclusion
While some Bible scholars suggest that the New Testament commonly uses ideas of inheritance in a spiritual sense, even the literal references to passing on material goods often hinge on right relationship and faithfully walking with God. There is also a caution that passing on wealth too soon, without adequate instruction, or to people who aren’t capable of handling the windfall, can have tragic consequences.

I’ve heard a number of stories of squandered inheritances, often because money was made available as soon as the beneficiaries reached the legal age of majority, but before they had the capacity to thoughtfully deal with the windfall. As some lawyer puts it, “Giving money to someone who can’t handle it, in hopes it will improve their financial situation, is like trying to put out a fire with lighter fluid.”

In recent years, charities, researchers and financial advisors have frequently cited the topic of inheritances. Many write hopefully about an alleged trillion-dollar transfer of wealth expected in the coming generation. The reality is that people aged 65 and in good health today have a 50 percent chance of living to 100, while a third of seniors go into retirement with significant debt. Many of these folks will leave no wealth to be transferred.

Successful wealth transfers require values transfers as well. That recognition is leading some families to make conscious efforts to encourage philanthropy in their children and grandchildren, sometimes by matching the younger person’s donations. Others set up a fund and allow young relatives to choose recipients of gifts that flow from the fund.

Some studies conclude that 90 percent of inherited wealth evaporates within three generations. “From shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves within a few lifetimes,” as my favourite university professor was fond of saying. It can be suggested that wealthy families often breed reckless spenders, in part when expectations about the responsibility to be generous aren’t modelled.

The document written to explain what should happen after we die was once called a last will and testament because it provides the last opportunity for us to testify to our beliefs.

Lastly you should always know that The spiritual inheritance that genuine Christians have far outweighs any material assets that the world can offer them.

Mobile Money in Kenya

Let this article talk to you

Use of Mobile Phones (read Smart Phones)

Consider what some of the more advanced mobile phones are also doing. The list is in no way exhaustive:
Digital camera: Point-and-click! Phones capture pictures and let us save them for posterity or transfer them to others and to computers.
Audio recorder: Mobile phones can be used to record conversations or even brief notes to oneself.
Video recorder: Phones are becoming video cameras also -- some of the newest cellphones can record an hour or more of video.
Multimedia messaging: Everything recorded can be shared with others by using MMS.
Email client: The phone can be used to connect to any POP or IMAP server and allow receiving and sending email. While most phones may not have the ease of use that a Blackberry has with email, contacts and calendar, the fact that it is on the phone itself and that there is no need for a separate device can be a big help (along with the lower total cost of ownership).
Web client: Phones can also browse websites, via a WAP and/or HTML browser. Most web sites may not look great on the small screen, but it is still possible to connect to any web site.
Gaming platform: Mobile games have become big business in the past couple years as people seek entertainment in the free time that they have on the device that they always carry with them.
Documents viewer: It is increasingly possible to view documents on the cellphone, in the popular MS-Office file formats.
Computer adjunct: For many, the cellphone has replaced the PDA as the complement to the computer. With a remote desktop application, it also becomes possible to make the mobile phone a window to one's computer.
Music player: The next big thing in 2005 is reckoned to be the combining of music capabilities on the mobile phone. While phones can play MP3s, it will soon also be possible to have music streamed from the Internet. Motorola is expected to introduce a phone this year that marries the mobile with Apple's iPod.
TV: In Kenya, some operators have been promoting many TV channels on the cellphone over next-generation networks like 4G - Safaricom.
Wallet: The phone can also be used to pay for purchases like a credit or debit card. There is already a billing relationship that exists between the subscriber and the operator, and that can be used to make payments to merchants.
Bar-code readers: Phones will also be able to read bar codes and that can have very interesting applications in commerce.

Mobile Applications in Developing Countries (Mobile Apps)

No doubt the current developments witnessed in the the upsurge of mobile handsets ownership among the common populace has heralded a generation of mobile and tech savvy nations. This has seen major developments in the size and capabilities of the handsets. The trend is slowly moving from basic utilities such as communication, playing music, watches, calculators and alarm clocks to more sophisticated devices capable of doing the following: Web client, digital video/camera, Documents viewer, MMS to name but a few. ( For full list see my blog: Capabilities of new phones)

As one Professor puts it lately that "Mobile phones are becoming very powerful and are likely to become a dominant device for CCC (communication, computing and content).". Significantly this is where we are headed to. Networks are not left out too. Here in Kenya we are witnessing the roll out of 3G network by Orange coming after the lead mobile network service provider Safaricom rolled out theirs few years ago. Other service providers are not far behind with their 2G networks. Actually Safaricom is currently doing a testing of super-fast next generation Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology (4G). Huawei Technologies is spearheading the process.

It is quite clear that our Network capabilities and Handset Performances are getting Super High and with these comes all manner of applications. Open Handset Alliance led by Google have partnered with Huawei to offer Android Operating System which is an open source operating system for Mobile Phones. We have proprietary OS like IOS for Iphones, Symbian for Nokia, and many more.

The benefits of open source software which have led to innovation in the traditional computing environment don't apply to mobile platforms because the hardware isn't accessible to software developers.
This situation is changing with the advent of the Google Android system  and the Open Moko which is billed as the “World's First Integrated Open Source Mobile Communications Platform”. However it is unclear whether the Google system will be compatible with older phones. One of the most important operating systems, Symbian, is also in the process of converting to open source.

However, that is the end of the story for developing countries. In Kenya for example, the cheapest of these smart handsets costs KES 7,999. With 39.9% people living on less than USD 2 (KES 180) Per Day (Based on 2009 UN Human Development Report.), It is clear that one needs to sacrifice more than 44 basic days inorder to be able afford one such phone. Load on to that the cost of acquring mobile applications which are normally priced in Dollars! Beyond any reasonble doubt it is clear that Developing countries are far behind in terms of full utility of these smart applications and phones. Ideos is a new media generation mobile phone , though its easy to make an application  for it unlike the older mobile phones . but thats not available yet in most of the developing countries and no much free software for it – yet – but there are many assumption it’ll lead the next mobile applications development . Many professional and needed software for mobile applications are so expensive. Regarding most of the professional mobile applications i don’t believe the growth in mobile usage will decrease the price as it’ll not motivate the people to create more free professional applications , even its more easier now ( Web developer can do it ) , the free incoming applications will not be that professional which will lead many of the users to look for more professional alternatives , so i assume it’ll be the time to get cracked application portals as a result for increase in the need and decrease in the professionalism of free mobile applications. So can the mobile phone growth at developing countries help the growth of the mobile application development? Or it will just increase the cracked and illegal application portals ?!

Most mobile users in developing countries use old mobile handsets (because they are affordable and easily maintainable) for communication purposes. These old handsets cannot allow for the installation and usage of several newer mobile applications because of their limited memory and processing power.

One broad class of mobile applications is those that facilitate collaboration, and I imagine that such applications will have a large impact on the developing world(read Kenya). For example, in the developing world mobile collaboration technologies might help knowledge sharing among farmers, sales coordination among small commodity vendors, collaborative learning among village youth, and family-based health care monitoring for the elderly. As most users are not IT experts and they vary in many respects, such as language(read Tribe) and technology literacy , one of the challenges is to design and develop consumable collaboration services that can be easily leveraged by the masses (e.g., illiterate users, and farmers alike). If we believe that voice communication and text messaging are the two most used mobile collaboration services today, one interesting question is what would be the next mass-consumable “killer” mobile collaboration service(s) and what factors (e.g., mobile technologies and national culture) would influence the development of such applications/services. Developing countries may need a reduction in the cost of smart phones before benefits of mobile application development starts trickling in. Google, Samsung, Nokia, Apple etc need to consider investing in significantly reducing the production costs of these smart phones to enable affordability by the majority of Developing countries whose residents depend on less than 2 USD per day.

The question remains: Will the rapid mobile application development be of use to Developing countries now?

Over to you......

GOK Open Data: Security versus Openess

We are united in challenging the government of the day to be making more and more government data accessible, usable, and useful. However, don't u think the government also have a responsibility to protect some data. That private data might be related to individual privacy, preliminary information, or of national security interests. Tell us about what u think is good for GOK in terms of openess and data security

Open Data by GOK

There has been much hype about the open data recently released by the Government of Kenya and was preceded by the such from western economies. While it is no doubt that the data is so much needed today that ever before, the question arises as to how the same can be harnessed for the benefit of the common man in a developing country and how much information should the government release to meet the threshold required to be of use to the economy.
It is imperative also to note the concerns that come with its use such as privacy, confidentiality and integrity of the data. More to come.....