A Legacy vs an Inheritance
What will it resemble if you ask God to enable you to leave a legacy?
The word legacy is not in the Bible, but the closest term I found is inheritance. One verse suggests that one should leave an inheritance, as noted in Proverbs 13:22: A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children.
So, do you think there is a difference between an inheritance and a legacy?
An inheritance is something you leave behind for your family or loved ones, while a legacy is your impact on those who outlive you. An inheritance can include something of tangible value, like money, property, or a family business, while a legacy is more intangible. A legacy can consist of your values, accomplishments, wisdom, and memories. Mainly, a legacy represents the causes you championed.
Remember, a monetary inheritance will temporarily bring happiness because of its tangible value. Tangible things like monetary value will eventually fade away. However, a legacy will permanently transform lives even after the bequestor dies. For example, I recall many individuals commenting on my father's impact on their lives when he died. One person spoke of the father-like spirit that made him the man he is today. Listening to my father's legacy and seeing his impact on others, I became inspired to follow his servitude mentality to have a similar impact on those around me.
Therefore, I interpret that leaving an inheritance links to a legacy because of the intangible bequests. For the sole fact of the impactful longevity of intangible pursuit, I propose these questions: 1) What type of inheritance will you leave your children's children? 2) Will your inheritance consist of houses, land, or money that will eventually fade, or 3) Will you leave something significant that will last for generations?
Remember, the Savior commented about storing tangible things.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Matthew 6:19-20 KJV
If you review the latter part of Proverbs 13:22, the writer notes that the sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous. As a result, if I leave something intangible to my children, they will inherit the sinner's tangible wealth as long as they remain righteous.
Today, I see a vivid manifestation of tangible wealth in the children's children of my father when they purchase homes that quadruple the value of their grandfather’s house. To this end, I urge you to stop trying to become the next lottery winner or exploring get-rich schemes to leave an inheritance. Instead, leave a spiritual legacy that will benefit your children for generations to come.
