When we think about our lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day details—answering emails, solving immediate problems, being patient with our kids, or even counting our sugary snacks. But the truth is, the greatest impact we have on this world isn’t measured by these daily metrics. It’s measured by the legacy we leave behind.
I was reminded of this recently when reading about a man named Ralph who, even years after his passing, continues to impact his community through his generosity. The story goes that years after Ralph passed away, someone attended the small country church where Ralph had been a member. When they opened a hymnal to sing, they discovered an inscription noting that the hymnals had been provided by Ralph’s generosity. This simple act of giving continued to touch lives long after he was gone.
What Makes a Lasting Legacy?
The most profound legacies aren’t about buildings or budgets—though these can be important tools. True legacy is about creating places, cultures, and communities where future generations can know God, grow with others, and make positive change in the world.
In the Bible, we find the concept of “Ebenezers”—not the character from A Christmas Carol, but memorial stones that were set up to remind people of God’s goodness and faithfulness. In the book of Joshua, after the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land (on dry ground, no less), Joshua had men stack stones as a memorial. When future generations would ask about these stones, they would hear the story of God’s power and provision.
There’s an interesting contrast between this story and an earlier one. Under Moses’s leadership, the Israelites failed to enter the Promised Land because they were afraid and didn’t trust God. Their story became one of “what might have been.” But under Joshua’s leadership, they trusted God and moved forward. Their memorial stood as a testimony to what God actually did.
We face similar decision points in our lives. Will we raise up memories of “what could have been” with our would-haves, could-haves, and should-haves? Or will we trust God and move forward in obedience, creating legacies of actual impact?
Four Prioritizes of Legacy Impact
For those committed to creating lasting change, there are four specific approaches that can multiply impact across generations:
1. Plant Churches
Planting churches is the single most effective way to reach new people. New people in new communities are reached best by new churches. This multiplication strategy creates fresh opportunities for growth and expansion that revitalizes and extends the mission. Each new church becomes a beacon of hope and transformation in its community.
2. Launch Leaders
It’s not enough to develop leaders just for here at 2|42. The church should be a center of leadership development for the entire world. When we develop people who can lead effectively throughout our communities—in businesses, schools, government, and neighborhoods—the impact multiplies exponentially. Imagine how much better your community would be if every corner was led by leaders who are faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Our communities would be transformed from the inside out.
3. Prioritize Kids
Statistics reveal that 60% of people who develop a relationship with Jesus do so between ages 4 and 14. This is a critical age group that deserves our focused attention and resources. Rather than asking “how do we get a generation back?” we should be asking “how do we keep a generation engaged in a relationship with Jesus Christ from the beginning?” By investing in children and youth, we’re securing the future of faith for generations to come.
4. Mobilize Disciplemakers
True transformation happens when we move from consuming church to being the church. When people stop just attending services and start actively living as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ for a broken and hurting world, the impact multiplies dramatically. This means empowering everyone to step into the call God has on their lives—not just regarding finances, but in every area of life and service.
The Time We Have Left
Consider this thought: The average life expectancy for women is about 80 years, and for men about 75 years. If you were to color in a circle representing your lifespan—marking off the years you’ve already lived—how much of the circle remains? What are you doing with that remaining time?
We can’t change the past—the things we’ve said, done, or thought—but we can make determinations about how we use the time we have left. We can decide what kind of memorial we’re raising up with our lives.
Going All In
When it comes to creating a legacy through generosity, many of us need to ask ourselves: what would it look like to go all in for the things we truly believe in? What is calling us to step beyond our comfort zones?
For some, this might mean multiplying their previous giving by four, six, or even twenty times. For others, it might mean making their first commitment to regular generosity. The specific numbers matter less than the heart behind them—a willingness to respond to what we’re being called to do.
The question isn’t “What should I do?” but rather “What am I being called to do?” And then, most importantly, “Will I be obedient to that call?”
Don’t Sit on the Sidelines
One of the greatest tragedies in life is to watch from a distance as others create an impact and build a legacy. Don’t be a spectator to greatness—be a participant. Go all in for what matters and experience the movement in your own life in powerful ways.
Remember that generosity isn’t just about finances—it’s about recognizing the generosity that’s been shown to us and responding in kind. Just as in the ancient practice of communion, where bread and wine represent profound sacrifice, our generosity acknowledges what we’ve received and extends it to others.
Your Next Step
Wherever you are in your journey, there’s a next step available to you:
- If you already know what you’re being called to do, give thanks for that clarity and move forward in confidence.
- If you’re uncertain, continue asking and listening for guidance.
- If you haven’t even begun considering your legacy, now is a perfect time to start.
The key is open-handedness—approaching life with palms up, ready to receive guidance and then release generosity. In doing so, you’ll find yourself building a legacy that continues long after you’re gone—just like Ralph and his hymnals.
Will you go all in for what matters most? The timeline of your life continues to move forward. The impact of your decisions will echo through generations. What legacy will you leave behind?
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