As my wife and I update our Living Trust for the third and more than likely final time, it causes me to reflect on what we will leave behind.
Your immediate response may be “Everything!”
Well, you are certainly correct; however, I’m not referring to the tangibles, but the intangibles — those impressions we’ve obviously made on others during our short time here on this planet.
So, the question we should all be asked is “What will you leave behind?” Ask your closest friends that question and have them ask you in return, and then have a serious discussion on this salient topic.
In that discussion you’ll possibly address a few additional questions like “What really matters in life?”, “How are we seen by those we can positively influence in life?” and “What wisdom can we lovingly transfer to others?”
As a fairly new insurance agent, I had the pleasure to learn from a fine Christian sales manager the fundamentals of how to best conduct my future business dealings.
Gerald Lee shared Godly wisdom applied to our business model. His whole emphasis was based on the concept of love. We were providing life insurance to people who cared deeply for those they might eventually leave behind.
One Bible verse he shared that has stuck with me through the years is Proverbs 13:22.
The first part of that verse reads, “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children …”, which I’d often quote to prospective clients.
That may seem a bit manipulative, but as a new follower of Christ and believer in the value of living benefits, I had no reservation in using God’s Word in this fashion.
After all, leaving an inheritance for future generations seemed quite appropriate.
As I grew and matured in my Christian faith and my profession, the remaining words of that verse gave me a deeper insight into the wisdom presented by King Solomon. The verse continues “… but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.”
With those few words, the writer shares a great truth about accumulating wealth. There’s an important lesson we need to learn regarding what God truly values most — a right relationship with His children.
Accumulating wealth to pass on to future generations may seem appropriate and it’s certainly a well-accepted concept in this present world, but I’m certain God does not want us spending all our energy obtaining power, prestige and personal gain.
He wants us to demonstrate our love for Him and others and spend ample time on such endeavors.
I was recently blessed in attending a memorial service for a longtime client and friend. This lady, a nurse by profession, for many years served others sacrificially. Even after retirement, she lovingly continued serving others until the very end.
She was a prayer warrior emphasizing the needs of others rather than her own needs. She did not leave much of a worldly legacy, but her spiritual gift to family and the many others she touched was truly immense.
Through this faithful servant, God certainly changed lives for eternity.
I’ll wager you’ve attempted to teach your “best practices” to others you know could certainly benefit from the knowledge you’ve acquired over the years. Well, your efforts were probably not too fruitful.
Here’s my assessment. The most important lessons on life are not taught, but caught. And we’d be wise to ask the Holy Spirit for divine guidance in such matters of the heart.
So, let me ask one more time: “What will you leave behind?” And moving forward, please consider living your life in a fashion that will please God and be a blessing to others.