What Legacy Will You Leave?

We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.’ Joshua 4:6-7 NLT.

Today we hear people talk about leaving a legacy or heritage for their children. This could be in the form of houses, land or wealth. This is okay as we read in the bible that Abraham, Jacob and Isaac blessed their children with wealth and pronounced blessings over their children. However, there was one very important legacy that were passed down through the generations, and that was knowing, obeying, and fearing God.

God commanded the Israelites that they should teach their children the commandments of God. You must diligently obey the commands of the Lord your God – all the laws and decrees He has given you. Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, so all will go well with you. Then you will enter and occupy the good land that the Lord swore to give your ancestors. You will drive out all the enemies living in the land, just as the Lord said you would. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What is the meaning of these; laws, decrees, and regulations that the Lord our God has commanded us to obey?’ Then you must tell them, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with His strong hand. The Lord did miraculous signs and wonders before our eyes, dealing terrifying blows against Egypt and Pharaoh and all his people. He brought us out of Egypt so He could give us this land He had sworn to give our ancestors. And the Lord our God commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear Him so He can continue to bless us and preserve our lives, as He has done to this day – Deuteronomy 6:17-24 NLT.

What are we teaching our children? What is the legacy we want to leave? Are we sharing with our children how God delivered us, saved us and brought us through many trials? Are we teaching our children about God and the importance of living for Him? Many of us profess to be Christians or disciples of Yeshua, but does our lifestyle reflect or represent our God?

While houses, land and wealth are good to leave for our children, the most important legacy or heritage we can leave for our children and the generations to come is that of living a God-fearing life. For the things we now see will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever – 2 Corinthians 4:18b NLT.