Your Legacy

Your Legacy

Matthew 6:19-21: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Many times throughout the year, my partner, who is an attorney, and I do Estate Planning Seminars teaching people about what they should consider before they pass away. We tell them that they can leave their assets to three groups of people, their heirs, ministries or the government. They are told while they are alive they can pick two out of the three groups. If they plan purposely, they can choose any two of those three groups. Most often, without reluctance, people pick the first two. They are told that their legacy is the fingerprint left behind on their community.

I've thought about this in light of today's topic and see how our fingerprint relates to stewardship. Godly stewardship has more implications then the secular philosophy of planned giving. As believers, we are concerned with leaving a legacy that promotes stewardship (the use of God's assets) to further His kingdom. This comes in the form of benefiting our families, our churches and Para church ministries at the time of death and is more than just getting the best tax benefits for doing so. It is about glorifying Jesus Christ and building treasures in heaven, "where moth and rust do not destroy". Matthew 6:19-21

When we build for the earthly kingdom, as Scott Rodin suggests in Stewards in the Kingdom- "In a very real way the kingdom of the world is never built, but it acts like a black hole constantly demanding more with no hope of ever having enough. The irony of the kingdom of the world is that it does not let us stop long enough to enjoy what we have amassed." Giving to non-profit organizations is good, but when we think about the eternal consequences of giving to ministries, it is powerful! When I drive onto the grounds of America's Keswick, the sign that I'm confronted with every time is "America's Keswick, where God speaks to hearts and transforms lives". Unless God changes the hearts of men dealing with addiction to drugs, alcohol, gambling or sexual sins, then they may fall back into their addiction. The testimonies I've heard from these men have been incredible and can only come from God. I

've also witnessed for myself people being blessed when they give back to ministries with what God has entrusted to them over their lives. We have sat down with two generations of families that have been entrusted as stewards by grandparents that love the Lord. The grandparents want to see what they have been given by God continue to be used for His purpose and glory even after they depart this world. It is a tremendous testimony to see the excitement that fills the air in situations when grandparents, children and grandchildren get together and plan the future with these assets. Everybody is involved and the lesions of stewardship gets passed down through each generation.The important questions that need to be asked are, what is your legacy? How do you want to be remembered? What do you want to give to leave your mark on the Christian community?

One man who I'm sure has left a lasting legacy is Pastor Bill Raws, grandson of the founder of America's Keswick. I went to his memorial service in July and was taken aback by the people lives he has influenced will continue to influence for many years to come. Pastor Bill lived his life by faith. He gave of himself for the work of Jesus Christ his whole life. One of his favorite hymns sung at his memorial service was Great is Thy Faithfulness The well known chorus gives us comfort in the provisions of God by saying "Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!"

Let us remember that all we've ever needed in life has been provided by God. Are we prepared to continue to do His work with what He has so richly provided for us for His sake? What will be our legacy be whenever we leave our earthly home to go to our heavenly home? --Bernie Bostwick is Vice-President of Ambassador Advisors

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 26; Isaiah 1-2; Galatians 5

Great Quote: The renewal of our natures is a work of great importance. It is not to be done in a day. We have not only a new house to build up, but an old one to pull down. -- George Whitefield