Leave a godly legacy

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Knowing God”

Our Bible verse for today: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren …” Proverbs 13:22 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Leave a godly legacy”

In yesterday’s devotional we considered thoughts from author Richard Morgan and from the poet Ralph Waldo Emerson about the things that are truly important in life, and about leaving a legacy for our children and grandchildren.

What does God expect from us in this area? What kind of legacy and inheritance does He want us to leave for our children, grandchildren, and future generations? It does not necessarily consist of stocks and bonds, gold, silver, homes, and property. Although there is something to be said for leaving that kind of inheritance, the legacy and inheritance that matters most to God is the impact made by a godly life lived well.

As I write this Linda and I are at our son’s home in San Antonio, Texas. We’re celebrating an early Christmas with him and his family, as well as with extended family members. It’s also our grandson Oliver’s first Christmas, and being here for that is special.

When Oliver was born earlier this year, Linda and I put together a treasure chest for him. It’s a carved wooden box that actually looks like a pirate’s treasure chest but which is essentially a time capsule. In it we put a newspaper from the day he was born; silver dollars from 1921 and 2021 (the year of his birth and 100 years before his birth); an extensive family picture album (with notations), beginning from when Linda and I were kids, to our dating years, through all the years of raising our family, right up through the time of Oliver’s own birth. (The object was to help him be familiar with our family members and history). I also included a signed copy of each of the four books I’ve written, with personal notes to him in the flyleaf, and also a personal letter from me to him. All of that has to do with legacy and preserving memories.

But honestly, if he simply concludes “Grandpa was a good man. He lived a good life and he was a blessing to many people.” If that’s the legacy I leave I believe God will be pleased, and so will I because really, that’s all God expects from any of us. Live well, honor Him, bless others, and leave a godly legacy.

That’s my goal and I hope it’s yours too.

God bless,
Pastor Jim