legacy
We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord (Psalm 78:4).
READ: Deuteronomy 4:1-9
Most parents want a better life for their children. Often, those who are financially able will leave their children a sizable inheritance—hoping that an extra cushion of cash will help them handle the needs, dangers, and uncertainties of life. This is a noble act, for Proverbs 13:22 declares, “Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren.”
But it’s not the best we can do. God commands us to leave a legacy that money can’t buy. When He delivered the Israelites from their captivity in Egypt, He warned them to “be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren” (Deuteronomy 4:9).
The Israelites were to hand down their covenant with God to their children by speaking about Him often: “Talk about [God’s commands] when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up” (Deuteronomy 6:7). If they were successful in leading their children to love God, then their descendants would “flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors” (11:21). If they failed and their children turned to idols, then they would “quickly disappear from the land” and “be utterly destroyed” (4:26).
So leaving a spiritual legacy has the potential to provide material helps for the next generation. The meek really will inherit the earth. While in the short run there are no guarantees, those who have been raised to love God and others are more apt to handle with care—and prayer—any financial windfall that comes their way. Most important, “their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need.” He will enable them to “experience true life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19). —Mike Wittmer
Write down the spiritual riches, or values, that you inherited from your parents. How are you passing these values on to the next generation?
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Loading ...behind the building
July 16, 2009
READ: 1 Peter 4:8-11
Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. —1 Corinthians 15:58
Where we were working was hot, dirty, and it smelled bad. We had traveled thousands of miles to do some work projects, and on this day we were painting the back of a classroom building at a school for the deaf. The only people who would ever see this part of the building would be the guy who cut the grass and any unfortunate person who would have to work on the septic pit.
Yet, as the young adults diligently painted away, one of the girls, Melissa, put it in perspective by saying, “Nobody will ever come back here to see this, but God will see it. So let’s make it look nice.” And so we did.
Sometimes we sit at our desk and think no one sees our work. Or we stand at a line assembling item after endless item. Perhaps we take care of crying babies in the church nursery. Or we live the best Christian life we can—without anyone noticing.
Often our work is “behind the building.” But if that is what God has called us to do, we need to work with all our heart. As part of our calling to love others deeply (1 Peter 4:8), offer hospitality (v.9), and use our gifts to serve others (v.10), our task is to work with God’s strength to bring praise and glory to God, not ourselves. The important thing is that God likes what He sees. — Dave Branon
No service for Christ goes unnoticed by Him.
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