Have you ever wondered what kind of legacy your life is leaving right now? Every decision we make is shaping the legacy we’ll leave behind, and that starts with who we are today.

Legacy doesn’t just happen. We create it intentionally with the choices we make every single day. If that sounds hard, don’t worry.  It’s not as difficult as we make it out to be, and we have an added benefit. God has already equipped us to leave the lasting impact that actually makes a difference in our world. 

Want to know how? We’re going to take a look, right now.

Worship happens in our everyday—in the conversations we have with God during a hectic commute, in the way we pause to help a neighbor, or simply how we choose to spend our personal time. These small choices build a foundation for the legacy we leave behind.

In Matthew 2:11, we see the Wise Men set an example. They brought treasures to offer to Jesus as an act of their worship. And these weren’t just gifts. They chose to honor Jesus and show what it means to prioritize God first. This kind of worship creates a ripple effect. Our children, friends, and communities will see what it looks like to live a life with the best thing at the center.

Generosity is one of the most powerful ways we get to leave a legacy. Acts 20:35 reminds us, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Giving is a reflection of God’s character, the ultimate giver.

Take a moment to consider everything God has already given us:

• Our breath? A gift from Him.
• Our income? His provision.
• Our talents and opportunities? Straight from His hand.

When we give back to God—whether through our time, resources, or skills—we’re reflecting a central part of who He is. It’s not the size of our gifts, but the posture of our heart when we give. 

Think about a small child giving their parent a handmade drawing. It’s probably a little messy and doesn’t look perfect, but it’s priceless because of the love it represents. The same is true of our giving to God. He sees the sacrifice, honors it, and multiplies it to create an impact on others.

Generosity and sacrifice work together. When we give, whether it’s our time, energy, or resources, it often requires letting go of something valuable. But this act of surrender becomes a key part of building a meaningful and lasting legacy. 

King David said in 2 Samuel 24:24, “I will not offer to the Lord my God sacrifices that cost me nothing.” Building a legacy often requires giving up comfort or convenience. But the reward is so much better than keeping what we have.

Picture a family choosing to downsize their vacation plans to free up money to pay for a neighbor’s groceries for months. Or think of someone spending their evenings mentoring at-risk youth instead of relaxing at home. These kinds of sacrificial decisions demonstrate Christ’s love in action and inspire others to do the same. 

In the same way, when we give our time, money, or energy to honor God, we’re building something far greater than ourselves. God sees our sacrifices, blesses them, and uses them to create a lasting impact.

The interesting thing to remember about legacy is that it isn’t just about us. The habits and values we model today set the foundation for our kids, grandkids, and beyond.

But how do we know if what we’re doing is enough? The truth is, we won’t be able to do everything right. But God’s grace covers us and fills in those gaps. Our past doesn’t define our legacy. Our faithfulness creates the legacy we want to leave for our family.

Every time we show up for church, pray with our family, or serve our community, we’re creating patterns for others to follow. One day, our children will be teaching their children and saying, “The greatest gift my parents gave me was showing me the way to Jesus.” 

So where do we start?

Our actions today can shape the future for countless others because: 

• We can leave our kids with a faith that anchors them.
• We can leave our families with memories of God’s goodness.
• We can leave our church stronger for the next generation.

Leaving a legacy isn’t something reserved for the wealthy or famous. Creating legacy is for anyone who chooses to live intentionally, with faith and generosity. 

The greatest legacy we get to leave is one that points others to Jesus. Our life- our worship, our generosity, our sacrifices—tell the story of God’s love.

Today, start building a legacy that echoes through eternity. One choice, one act of faith, one step at a time.