Legacy

Do you want to be remembered?

Let us now sing the praises of famous men, our ancestors in their generations. The Lord apportioned to them great glory, his majesty from the beginning. There were those who ruled in their kingdoms, and made a name for themselves by their valor; those who gave counsel because they were intelligent; those who spoke in prophetic oracles; those who led the people by their counsels and by their knowledge of the people's lore; they were wise in their words of instruction; those who composed musical tunes, or put verses in writing; rich men endowed with resources, living peacefully in their homes all these were honored in their generations, and were the pride of their times. Some of them have left behind a name, so that others declare their praise. But of others there is no memory; they have perished as though they had never existed; they have become as though they had never been born, they and their children after them. But these also were godly men, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten; their wealth will remain with their descendants, and their inheritance with their children's children. Their descendants stand by the covenants; their children also, for their sake. Their offspring will continue for ever, and their glory will never be blotted out. Their bodies are buried in peace, but their name lives on generation after generation. The assembly declares their wisdom, and the congregation proclaims their praise - Sirach 44:1-15

Sirach talks about the famous ancestors whose names we all know.  They are the forefathers and foremothers of our faith, the leaders and the prophets.

We remember the leaders for what they had done in their name.  Armies were sent.  Battles were fought.  Cities were built and destroyed by those they commanded.

We remember the prophets for the wisdom they shared, speaking God's messages to the people, bringing change in God's name.

But there are many others whose memory is lost to time, regardless of the good they did, regardless of what they accomplished in their lifetime.

It could be that is our fate as well, to be appreciated while alive and forgotten when gone.

Is that so bad?

Will it matter to us when we are gone?

If it does matter, perhaps there is something we could do to have our memory live on.  We could leave a legacy.

Even if we don't build something great, or establish a business and live on, we could support a ministry that will do its work in our name.

That would be easy.

All we need to do is leave some of what we have acquired during our lives as a legacy gift.

I just might have a suggestion for you on that.

More to come...