A retired builder form Southern England was shocked to learn that he is tribal chief with a claim to thousands of acres in land in Canada. His long-lost Canadian relatives from an Indian tribe in Manitoba contacted Mick Henry, the son of an English woman and a Canadian soldier, through the Internet.

Henry had no idea that he had the inheritance coming, because his father returned to Canada soon after he was born, and never maintained contact. Henry's father died in 1998, and the tribe had spent the last several years searching for his heir.

Henry told a tribal newspaper, “I never thought something like this could happen to anyone, certainly not to me.” He added, “I thought they still lived in tents and went hunting for their food. In fact they all have lovely houses and enjoy a wonderful lifestyle.”

Henry hopes to cash-in on his newly discovered heritage and celebrity status. He says, “They are still looking for a proper ceremonial name for me.”

—Reuters, Englishman Discovers He's a Canadian Native Chief, November 30, 2003. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Romans 8:16-17 NIV "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

Two Hungarian brothers who were so poor they lived in a cave, and raised money selling junk, recently discovered they are heirs to a huge fortune. Charity workers informed Zsolt and Geza Peladi that they and a sister were in line to receive an inheritance worth more than six billion dollars. German law dictates that direct descendants are automatically entitled to a share of any estate. Lawyers for the estate of their maternal grandmother discovered the Peladi brothers when they conducted genealogical research seeking descendants.

The Peladi brothers will have to produce their mother’s death certificate to prove they are in line to receive the fortune. They are not sure if their grandmother even knew they existed. Geza told a local newspaper, “We knew our mother came from a wealthy family but she was a difficult person and severed ties with them, and then later abandoned us and we lost touch with her and our father until she eventually died.”The brothers hope money will help them live a more normal life, and even find wives. Geza added, “If this all works out it will certainly make up for the life we have had until now – all we really had was each other – no women would look at us living in a cave.”

--Homeless brothers in line to inherit billions, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34264774/ns/world_news-wonderful_world; December 3, 2009, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

How many believers live like paupers never knowing the inheritance they have through Jesus?

Titus 3:7 (CEV) “Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life.”

The Private Investigator said he followed 60 to 70 tips before locating Melitzer, including one from a police officer who found the homeless man sleeping in a car earlier that month.

Lundberg said Melitzer was excited to get the news and was taken to an undisclosed location to get in touch with the family again. Lundberg said, “He’s still in shock. This came out of nowhere. He’ll no longer be living on the street or in abandoned storage sheds. He‘ll be able to have a normal life, and be able to have a home, provide for himself, and purchase clothing, food, and health care.”

--Private eye tells homeless man of inheritance, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110619/ap_on_re_us/us_homeless_man_rich, June 19, 2011. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

1 Peter 1:4-5 (CEV) (4) God has something stored up for you in heaven, where it will never decay or be ruined or disappear. (5) You have faith in God, whose power will protect you until the last day. Then he will save you, just as he has always planned to do.

Russell Moore and his wife adopted two sons from Russia and when the legal process was finally over and they went to pick them up from the orphanage the transition proved to be harder than they had expected. Their new sons had never been outside. They had never even ridden in a car. As they pulled away from the orphanage, the boys began to shake with fear and started reaching back toward the orphanage. They did not realize that where they were going was far greater than where they had been. Their new home had a mom and dad, grandparents, uncles, friends, food, security, and love. But they had no idea. Not only were they gaining family and a home, but they would get the family name and an inheritance that would last far beyond their young years.

“Adoption doesn’t simply tell us who we are. It is a legal entitlement, one we are prone to forget.” –Jim L. Wilson and Eric Gibbs

Romans 8:17 (HCSB) “and if children, also heirs —heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”

Some families pass down jewelry, watches, and riches of many kinds. A Michigan family has a unique heirloom that is handed down through the generations. It is a 141-year-old fruitcake. Fidelia Ford baked the cake in 1878. Her tradition was baking a fruit cake and letting it age for a year before serving it at the holidays. Ford died at age 65 before her 1878 cake could be eaten, and by the time the holidays arrived, the family considered her handiwork a legacy, not food. The family has the cake stored in an antique glass dish in a china cabinet.

There may be only one possible inheritance which is more imperishable than fruit cake, and that is the inheritance that is reserved in heaven for believers. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.