Towards the end of last year, I met up with my financial advisor to review the insurance policies I had to make sure I was adequately covered and insured. Towards the end of the meeting, my financial advisor suggested for me to think about “legacy planning” – how my assets are bequeathed to my loved ones in the event of my passing. Thinking about how my assets would be divided led me to reflect on how others would remember me after I’m gone and the legacy I would leave behind.
While legacy is typically associated with the money or property that someone leaves behind, legacy can also encapsulate actions or deeds that someone does which leaves a lasting impact on others.
King David certainly gave a lot of thought on the legacy that he would leave behind. One of the desires of king David was to build the temple of God (1 Ch 17:1, 22:7). However, due to the bloodshed that David saw in his lifetime, the responsibility of building the temple fell onto Solomon instead (1 Ch 22:8).
Despite the fact that David was not able to build the temple, David was determined to ensure that Solomon was up to the task of building the temple, and in doing so, David had left a good example of the type of legacy we should strive to leave behind for our family and friends.
Firstly, David instilled the importance and responsibility of building the temple to Solomon. In 1 Ch 22:6, we see that he “charged” Solomon with this responsibility. The Hebrew word for “charge” can also be translated as “commanded” or “appointed”. This was a responsibility that Solomon could not shirk from. David also shared that it was God’s plan that Solomon should build the temple (1 Ch 22:10), and David once again reinforced Solomon’s responsibility to build the temple and keep the law of God (1 Ch 22:11-12).
In leaving a legacy, we can learn from David’s example in instilling knowledge and responsibility to obey God’s word to the next generation. This “legacy building” should start when the next generation is still young (Pro 22:6), as we have seen in the success as embodied in Timothy in 2 Tim 3:15.
Secondly, David made sure all supplies, building materials and manpower were in place for Solomon to build the temple. Stones, iron, brass, cedar wood were prepared “in abundance” (1 Ch 22:2-4), so much so that it was not weighed. David also further prepared 100,000 talents of gold and 1 million talents of silver for the building of the temple. David also prepared the workmen and builders who were able to construct the temple. Essentially, David prepared all necessary tools and resources for Solomon to successfully build the temple and fulfil God’s will even after his passing.
In leaving a legacy for our loved ones, have we also given our loved ones sufficient resources for them to lead a spiritually successful life well after our time on earth is over? Specifically, have we left behind a legacy of teaching the next generation well, such that they have the abilities and resources available to lead a spiritually successful life? Such a legacy would include teaching the knowledge of God’s word (Pro 22:6), or perhaps a habit of participating in midweek bible study or church gatherings (Heb 10:25).
We see that David left a lasting legacy in making preparations for the temple, as evidenced in Solomon’s success in building the temple. The glory of the first temple was so magnificent that when the second temple was rebuilt, the elders wept as they were reminded of the first temple. We also see that this legacy was a lasting one, as Solomon also remembered David’s desire to build the temple (2 Ch 6:7) when the temple was dedicated and consecrated to God.
In summary, beyond merely thinking about the financial legacy that we leave for our loved ones, let us also consider the spiritual legacy that we are leaving for others. Let’s start building our spiritual legacy today, following the footsteps of king David, and build one that spurs and encourages the next generation to be faithful, while equipping them with the necessary resources and abilities to succeed spiritually.
Ask Yourself:
Who was responsible for building the temple?
What did David do such that he was a good example in leaving behind a legacy?
What can I do to start building my spiritual legacy today?
Suggested Answers:
Solomon (1 Ch 22:9-10)
He instilled responsibility of building the temple in Solomon (1 Ch 22:6) and made sure all supplies were in place for Solomon (1 Ch 22:2-4).