The announcement shocked me.  It said that Kate Middleton and her husband, Prince William, are expecting their second child “the spare” in April.  The article went on to say that Kate had to curtail most of her official duties because of another bout of acute morning sickness, a condition that hospitalized her when she was pregnant with her first child, Prince George.

The term “the spare” really bothered me.  I understand that throughout royal history women were expected to have at least two children – “an heir and a spare” – just in case the first child didn’t survive long enough to take the throne.  Regardless of gender this baby expected to arrive in April will be fourth in line to the throne – after its grandfather, Prince Charles; its father, Prince William; and its 15-month-old brother, George.  The new baby will be in line ahead of its uncle, Prince Harry.

Those two children of Prince William and Kate have no choice in whether they are designated as heir or spare.  Every person makes a choice as to whether he/she will be an heir or a spare.  Too many people adopt an attitude about themselves that they are nothing but a spare. God sent His Son in order that every person might be an heir, and never a spare!

Paul wrote, “Since we are His children, we are His heirs.  In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory” (Romans 8:17).  He also wrote, “You are no longer a slave but God’s own child” (Galatians 4:7).  God sees you as His child.  You are His heir.  God so loved the world so that nobody should ever see themselves as a spare – but as a possibility of being an heir to all God has to give.

Too many people settle for much less.  Many people are content to be a spare.  Sometimes we try to blame it on other people.  Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

Sometimes we want to become an heir by taking the wrong course.  We think if we accomplish enough things we can become an heir to God’s abundant living.  Accumulation of things and good works never do that.  If you need an expensive car, or fancy clothes, or a big bank account to make a statement about yourself – you don’t have much to say!

In writing about self-worth Robert Schuller cites the Greek legend of Helen of Troy.  Helen was kidnapped.  She suffered from amnesia and became a prostitute in the streets.  She didn’t know her name or that she was of royal blood.

She had a friend who believed in her and wanted to find her.  One day he was wandering through the streets of a strange city and saw a wretched woman with deep lines across her face.  There was something about her that seemed familiar.  When he inquired about her name, she didn’t even know her name.

The man asked to see her hands.  He knew the lines in Helen’s hands.  He looked at them and declared that she was Helen of Troy.  She was of royal blood.  All of a sudden the fog began to clear in Helen’s mind and she realized who she really was.  She hugged her old friend and began to cry.  She discarded her tattered clothes and degrading lifestyle, and once more became the Queen she was born to be.

Because of Christ we are born to be an heir to Him and all He has.  We are not even fourth in line as this new royal baby will be.  Heirs of Christ are first in line!

Heir or spare – it’s your choice.