In a certain village in Europe several centuries ago, a nobleman wondered what legacy he should leave to his townspeople. He decided to build a church for a legacy.
The completed plans for the church were kept secret. When the people gathered, they marveled at the church’s beauty and completeness. Following many comments of praise, as astute observer inquired "But where are the lamps? How will the church be lighted?" Without answering, the nobleman pointed to some brackets in the wall; he then gave to each family a lamp to be carried to the worship service and hung it on the wall. "Each time you are here, the area where you are seated will be lighted," the nobleman explained. "Each time you are not here, that area will be dark. Whenever you fail to come to church, some part of God’s house will be dark."
Today I want to wrap up this series with some very good advice from scripture.
Proverbs 22:1 “Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.”
If you want to leave something for those who are following behind you, you must
“Live a Legacy”
Abundance is not about what we have today but what we leave for tomorrow.
I very seldom hear people boasting, at the end of life, about how much money they made, the great big a house they lived in, or the expensive car they drove.
What they want to talk about is the legacy they are leaving behind - their children, friends, accomplishments, and lasting value that was added to the world around them.
I think it’s sad that many have to look death in the face before they begin to get their priorities straight.
As we finish this series I want to give you four thing that will help you leave a God honoring legacy.
1) Live with Integrity - Proverbs 22:1 says “A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.”
No amount of money can buy you a good name. No amount of power can fix a reputation.
We look at the news and listen to the reports during campaign season. We watch men and women who claimed to be people of integrity fall on their faces. They might for a time have been some of the most powerful leaders in the world but their legacy will always be tainted by their inability to live with integrity. If you want to live with abundance live a life that lets you be proud of the man/woman in the mirror.
*My father was not a perfect man and he didn‘t raise perfect children. But just like his father he is a man of unimpeachable integrity. What I have learned about telling the truth, living by principles, and keeping my promises came from my Father, JT Lee and my Grandfather Olee Lee.
I grew up working with my Grandfather on the farm and I would watch and listen to how my himself. I road the truck that my Dad worked out of and watched how he dealt with his customers. My Grandfather died a poor man but a man of integrity. No matter who you talked to in the little town he lived in, you soon found out “Mr. Olee was a man of integrity.
I learned one thing from them, you may be able to fool everyone else about who you are but you will never fool the man who looks back at you, in the mirror. He will always know who you really are.
Let integrity define your life.
Abundance is found in being able to look yourself in the mirror and look God in the heart.
2) Live by Principle - The Apostle Paul says in Eph. 4: 14-15 “As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,”.
Abundance is found when you stop trying to make everyone happy.
One of the things I tell those I pastor is “Sooner or later I will let you down. If I haven’t already just hang on, your day is coming.”
I know I have disappointed some, and that’s ok.” Why is it ok? - Because I can’t make everyone happy. There will always be someone in your life who wants you to do something else or do it some other way.
We must be guided by principle not by popularity - and even more crucial is to let God and His Word guide your principles.
Godly principles cut against the grain of today’s “me” society because of this, your principles won’t always be popular.
3) Live with Intentionality - Eph 5:15 “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”
Make your world, your family, your marriage, a better place.
When I was young I used to love to go camping. One of things I always tried to teach the boys in our RA group was to leave the campsite better than you found it. And we found some in real mess. If you are a person who lives to leave the world around you a better place than you found it… you will leave a legacy.
Books might not be written about you - but lives will be influenced by you.
*My grandfather, Olee Lee, was a share-cropper in Coward, SC. He was never rich or influential in the worlds eyes but his legacy lived on his daughter and in my father and now in me.
*My grandmother, Bessie, was one of the best friends a person could ever have. She worked hard most of her life, right there beside my Grandfather. She prayed for her children and grandchildren and she handed her gift down to us - who in turn must hand it down to our children and grandchildren.
Are there people, in your past, who have influenced your life for Christ? - You and others are their legacy.
Their lives were abundant. Jesus said “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
4) Live with eternity in mind - Paul wrote in 2Cor. 4: 16-18, “we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Abundance can’t be found in the temporary things of this world Paul knew it and that’s how he could say in Philippians 4: 11 “I have learned the secret of being content no matter what circumstances I am in.”
Abundance is found in the eternal things…Godly things.
Then no matter what our circumstances, life can be filled with peace.
Everything we have talked about over the last 8 weeks is geared toward finding the abundant life that God has promised us. Some may be your strengths some your weaknesses - but if you practice them I think you will find what God has promised.
When you get all you want and you struggle for self,
and the world makes you king for a day,
then go to the mirror and look at yourself
and see what that man has to say.
For it isn’t your mother, your father or wife
whose judgment upon you must pass,
but the man, whose verdict counts most in your life
is the one staring back from the glass.
He’s the fellow to please,
never mind all the rest.
For he’s with you right to the end,
and you’ve passed your most difficult test
if the man in the glass is your friend.
You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,
And think you’re a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.
You can fool the whole world,
down the highway of years,
and take pats on the back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
if you’ve cheated the man in the glass.
Adapted from a sermon by Dan Cale
