Biblical Answer

Is it wrong to want to leave your family some money after you're gone? No, it is not wrong to want to leave your family some money after you're gone. In fact, it is a natural and loving desire to provide for those we care about, especially our family members. The Bible teaches us to provide for our family's needs and to be a good steward of what God has given us (1 Timothy 5:8). However, the motivation behind leaving money to our family should be a desire to bless and provide for them, not to control or manipulate them.

The Bible also teaches us that it is better to give to our children while we are alive, rather than leaving a large inheritance after we are gone (Proverbs 22:6). This is because a large inheritance can create a sense of entitlement and dependency, rather than teaching our children to be self-sufficient and responsible. When we leave a large inheritance, we may be inadvertently creating a sense of resentment or bitterness in our children, especially if they feel that they have to beg for money or feel guilty about spending it. As the Bible says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). Our treasure and heart should be focused on our relationships and our faith, not on accumulating wealth and material possessions.

Ultimately, the decision to leave money to our family after we are gone should be made with love, wisdom, and a desire to bless and provide for them, rather than to control or manipulate them. We should also consider the potential consequences of our actions and strive to be good stewards of what God has given us. By doing so, we can leave a lasting legacy that honors God and brings joy and blessing to our loved ones. As the Bible says, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you" (John 14:16-18). God's presence and love are what truly sustain us, not our wealth or material possessions.