5 minute read

By Bethany Rees

Not to be morbid, but the concept of legacy is usually only talked about when someone dies. At funerals, we eulogize the person that passed away by sharing stories of influence that person had on our lives and the legacy he/she left behind.  When a famous person passes away, even the media typically gives a tribute to that person’s legacy in their field of influence. 

So what is legacy anyway?

In layman’s terms, a legacy is an inheritance to future generations. Legacy is really about doing something today that will impact our children, and our children’s children and beyond. 

In Proverbs 13:22 it says” A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.”

We can leave an inheritance of love, living by faith, building of character, or yes, even wealth. 

But in thinking about giving something to our future ancestors, why do we wait until death to reflect on the concept of legacy? 

The truth is that legacy is not created at the end of our life. It is in fact what we build day-in and day-out with our interactions with others, and it showcases our stewardship of God’s good gifts. 

Unfortunately, our life legacy is not really thought about or processed by anyone, until we are gone. This is why our eulogy is typically something written by a family member after we die, and it tends to be a list of facts about relatives. We must work to flip this script. Instead, we should be writing our eulogy ourselves, and writing it now as a legacy goal. This way we can become intentional in living it out while we are still in fact… living. 

We must start looking forward and asking ourselves, what do we want our legacy to be, and how are we being intentional in building it right now? We need to think about how we want to prune and fertilize our family tree so positive generational changes take place and the “sins of our ancestors” can die with us.

Yet oftentimes we are too focused on ourselves to think about how we are building a legacy or inheritance for future generations. We become stuck in the rear view mirror of where we have been, or what is buzzing around currently distracting us, so we don’t look forward through the windshield at where we are going. 

So where are we going with our legacy? 

And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.[e] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:20-21

Based on how we raise(d) our children, will they think that status and earthly success is what matters most or will they know a relationship with Jesus is the most important thing because we lived it out before them?

I saw a media post by Shane Pruitt the other day. While I don’t necessarily know who he is, I did love what he said when he posted this great reminder about priorities and investing in their souls:

Beyond modeling faith, there is the matter of stewardship: caring for what God has given us. Modeling good stewardship is a great legacy to leave your family. Are you being intentional in caring for your health, relationships, and finances? 

As financial guru Dave Ramsey puts it in his book The Legacy Journey,:

“Wise people save money, delay pleasure, and make sacrifices for their families. Foolish people blow all their money on fancy cars, exotic vacations, and expensive jewelry they can’t really afford. They’re more concerned about themselves - what they want and what they can do to impress other people. For too many, it’s all about me, me, me. What I want. What I can consume. What I can buy.”

Our life, while lived by us, is not supposed to be lived for us. 

Every day that we are blessed to walk this earth we have the ability to influence our family, friends, and others. What are we doing with this opportunity and time to build legacy? Are we taking the time to build relationships, and model a faithful walk with Jesus? 

Before living your day on autopilot, work to slow your brain and remind yourselves that every day and every interaction is your legacy. 

Deuteronomy 30:19-20a says: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days,..”

Look out the windshield of your life and pay attention to where you and your legacy are heading. Make sure you are driving your life in the direction you want it to go. If you are heading in the wrong direction, change course. You have the power to change your family tree for the better. Today, choose life for you and your offspring. 

Know Better. Do Better. Live Better. Build Legacy Daily

Rocks before Sand!

Scripture: 

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.

~Proverbs 13:22

Theme Songs: 

Only Jesus - Casting Crowns

Lose my Soul - Toby Mac

Kari Jobe - The Blessing (ft. Cody Carnes) (Radio Version) (Lyric Video)

References Used:

• Ramsey, Dave (2014). The Legacy Journey. Brentwood, TN: Ramsey Press.
• The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james+1%3A2-4&version=ESV