Jesus loved the idea of legacy and He left us a blessed legacy through the Lord’s Supper.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
On many occasions, God also used the idea of legacies to help His people. He called upon the wandering Israelites to make alters, Exodus 20:24-25, build stone piles, Joshua 4:1-9, and to do things that would bring back stories and memories of the past. The book of Deuteronomy is a book of legacy. In fact, the permanency of the Bible itself is a form of legacy, a Word left for those who follow so they can know what has gone on before them.
It is a natural desire to want to be appreciated and equally natural for people to want to be remembered. We leave things, often referred to as “keepsakes,” for that purpose. We take pictures to hold onto memories. I do not know anyone who wants to be only an empty space in a pew on the Sunday after their funeral.
Here’s a thought you may not have had. You will leave a legacy of some type whether you plan for it or not! There will be memories of you that will remain. Work now to form and shape those memories and plan to leave behind something good.
One of the best legacies you can leave is more than a memory, it is a bequest that provides financial or spiritual assistance to those left behind!
Consider a charitable bequest to Idlewild Baptist Church. Your faith can be demonstrated and transferred to the next generation and to generations to come through the church. Help support and strengthen our ministries in perpetuity. Help provide resources that will allow today’s children and their children to worship God, serve others, and continue the ministries of the church and of God.
We have an opportunity to use our estates to be a witness to our faith and to give a demonstration of our stewardship. All that we did and have has been a gift from God. Acts 17:23. God wants us to use what He has given us wisely throughout our lifetimes and even beyond. Through our estate plans, we can both provide for our loved ones and, at the same time, make a faithful distribution to God to further kingdom work. That is stewardship that leaves a wonderful legacy. We will be remembered by our giving and that is one of the best legacies we can leave.
There are many forms of bequests that can be made. Some of these will be explored in future articles. Above all, remember the God who gave you life and loved you as you plan your estate. If you would like to learn more, call us at The Idlewild Foundation at (813) 264-8713.
About the Author
John Campbell has retired from a 40-year legal practice as a trial attorney in Tampa. He has served in multiple volunteer roles at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida, where he met Jesus. He began serving as the Executive Director of the Idlewild Foundation in 2016. He has been married to the love of his life, Mona Puckett Campbell, since 1972.