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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: My friends have six children and love them. However, both husband and wife are high up in academia and pour all their time into their work, not their family. They excuse it by saying they fear death because there may not be enough money to take care of their children [if the parents die young]. They spend all their time building up an inheritance. I’ve tried to explain to them that there is more to leaving an inheritance than money. Am I wrong? Instead of teaching their children about the fear of death, shouldn’t they be leaving an imprint of testimony and love of God, something that their children can cling to through life? – T.F.

A: The Bible reminds us that “the memory of the righteous is blessed” (Proverbs 10:7, NKJV). For Christian believers, death is no frightful leap in the dark but entrance into a glorious new life. The Apostle Paul recognized the truth when he said, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21, NKJV).

Christian parents have a responsibility to teach their children the facts of life and death, and the importance of being right with God. Those who turn from sin and receive Christ as Lord and Savior do not have to see death as frightful, though seldom do we look forward to it. God wouldn’t have placed eternity in our hearts unless there was life beyond the grave. Some strive to leave tangible things behind, but everyone leaves behind them footprints and imprints of how they lived in this life.

The Bible tells us to store our treasures in Heaven. For believers, our destination is “set,” and no one can steal our inheritance from us or the legacy we leave behind.

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

©2025 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2025 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.