When you die, if those you care most about inherited only your habits, how well off would they be? Would they be on the road to drawing closer to Jesus or drifting off the narrow path? (Matthew 7:13-14; Hebrews 13:7) We all leave something behind at death. The good news is we can decide how great or small that spiritual inheritance will be. Of course, that’s also the bad news.
We’re not acting in love towards those we leave behind if we aren’t pursuing and developing good spiritual habits as if it’s our full-time job. Our responsibility is not just to become Christ-like ourselves, but to instruct and encourage others to do the same. (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:2) This is about more than your legacy; it’s your spiritual calling in Christ. (Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 3:14)
People are always watching what you do. Not in the Orwellian 1984 sense (well, maybe), but to see if you are who you say you are. Everyone hungers for authenticity, and as Christians, we should be the most authentic people of all. (Matthew 5:16; Titus 2:6-8) There was no deception in Christ, so there should be none in us. (1 Peter 2:22; Ephesians 4:25) What you do matters. If those close to you see you wasting time and ignoring your Bible, you are encouraging them to do the same. What are your habits saying about you?
Your habits matter. They are the evidence of what is most important to you. We must develop the habit of devotion if we want to leave a legacy of being devoted to Christ. Nobody remembers what you wanted to do. What they remember are the things you did. It’s not enough to talk about following Jesus; you have to actually do it. (James 1:22; 1 John 3:18) I have written about the impact my mother’s morning Bible study habits left on me. That’s an incredible inheritance. It’s valuable not because she told me I should spend the first moments of each day in prayer, but because I watched her do it.
What inheritance are you building for your spouse, children, and friends? Your habits are the building blocks that build either an invaluable treasure or a pile of garbage to pass down to those you love most. Can you imagine finding out a relative left you something in their will only to find out what they left was nothing but junk? How would you feel? Such an inheritance is useless. If your habits are indifference, carelessness, laziness, and selfishness, that’s what you bequeath to the ones you leave behind. It’s all junk. (Proverbs 13:20; Galatians 6:7-8)
It’s never too late to build an inheritance for those who look to you for guidance and support. Show them how important it is to begin each day with your Bible open and your head bowed in prayer. Take nothing for granted, but give God the praise and glory for everything. Teach them what it looks like to seek God’s Kingdom first and to be compassionate and generous to those in need. (Matthew 6:33; Acts 20:35) Talk about Jesus and instruct them to do the same. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Psalm 78:4) Pray for salvation to come to those who don’t know Christ, and never waver in your faith. (1 Timothy 2:1-4; Hebrews 10:23) That’s a legacy pleasing to the Lord, and it’s a legacy you build with your habits in the here and now. Why not begin today?