Legacy of Generosity

0:00A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children. Proverbs 13, verse 22. Welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread. Legacy of Generosity was written and read by Kirsten Homburg. Proverbs chapter 13 verses 18 through 22. Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heads correction is honored. A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil. Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things. A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.

1:05Legacy of Generosity Though we didn't live in the same state as my maternal grandparents, I'm grateful to have known them as well as I did. They traveled regularly to Colorado to CS, and we enjoyed visits with them in California. As my sister and I became adults, our conversations with our grandparents expanded, from playful childhood topics, to include more serious discussion of finances. They explained to us that they wanted to share their resources with us while they were alive, but that most of their state would be given to charity at their passing. My grandparents were indeed quite generous to us over their lifetimes. When they died, I was genuinely proud to see their remaining resources given to others. When I compare their real life example to the words recorded in Proverbs 1322, that a good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children,

2:12I see their legacy to me from a broader perspective. We aren't to live selfishly, but instead care for those coming after us. We won't all have financial wealth to pass on to future generations, yet in choosing to live generously toward others with whatever resources we have, even if just time and attention, our children and theirs receive a precious inheritance, a legacy of generosity. As we depend on God for our needs, we're able to share both our faith and our resources with others. Let's pray, Father God, thank you for all that you have given me. Please help me to steward the gifts that you've given to me in all the various forms they may take in order to live generously and pass on your goodness to others.

3:14We pray in your name, amen. As you go about your day, reflect on these questions. Whose example of faithful, generous living benefited you? How might you extend practical help to others today?