I Timothy 6:2 tells us that as believers we are …partakers of the benefit. The psalmist says “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.” Hebrews tells us that we are “partakers of the heavenly calling,…” A partaker is one who has or takes a part, share or portion in common with others; a sharer; a participator; usually, followed by of. Christians are partakers of the divine nature. II Peter 1:4. This is our heritage, our inheritance.
There is a story about a man named Fred who inherited $10 million, but the will provided that he had to accept it either in Chile or Brazil. He chose Brazil. Unhappily it turned out that in Chile he would have received his inheritance in land on which uranium, gold and silver had just been discovered. Once in Brazil he had to choose between receiving his inheritance in coffee or nuts. He chose nuts. Too bad! The bottom fell out of that market, and coffee went up significantly. Poor Fred lost everything he had to his name. He went out and sold his solid gold watch for the money needed to fly home. It seems that he had enough for a ticket to either New York or Boston. He chose Boston. When the plane for New York taxied up he noticed it was a brand-new super 747 jet with red carpets. The plane for Boston arrived. It was a 1928 Ford trimotor with a sway back and it took a full day to get off the ground. It was filled with crying children and tethered goats. Over the Andes, one of the engines fell off. Our man Fred made his way up to the captain and said, “I’m a jinx on this plane. Let me out if you want to save your lives. Give me a parachute.” The pilot agreed, but added, “On this plane, anybody who bails out must wear two chutes.” So Fred jumped out of the planes, and as he fell dizzily through the air he tried to make up his mind which ripcord to pull. Finally he chose the one on the left. It was rusty and the wire pulled loose. So he then pulled the other handle. This chute opened, but its shroud lines snapped. In desperation, the poor fellow cried out, “St. Francis, save me!” A great hand from heaven reached down and seized the poor fellow by the wrist and let him dangle in midair. Then a gentle but inquisitive voice asked, “St. Francis Xavier of St. Francis of Assisi?”
Thank the Lord, our “inheritance”, our “heritage”, our “benefits”, are as sure as the promises of God. We are “partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.” Ephesians 3:6. “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:” Colossians 1:12. Today we enjoy the blessings and benefits of an abundant life in Christ. In eternity, we will enjoy pleasures forevermore. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” I Peter 1:3-4. Rest in His promise today.