When most people hear the phrase “a legacy that lasts,” they think of money.

A will. A trust. A house passed down from generation to generation.

But is that really the kind of legacy that matters most?

A Tale of Two Legacies

I once heard the story of a man who worked hard his entire life and left behind a large financial inheritance for his children and grandchildren. Yet years later, he deeply regretted it.

He confessed that his children had grown up unmotivated and unproductive. Some of his grandchildren had never even held a steady job.

Even worse, a few had fallen into destructive patterns of addiction and excess. What he had hoped would bless his family had instead weakened them.

Contrast that with another man I met—someone who spent most of his life in ministry.

He didn’t amass much financial wealth.

This man traveled often, but he always made a point to be home for long stretches to pour into his children.

He taught them the Bible, told them stories, and lived out his faith in front of them.

Today, all six of his children walk with Jesus. They’ve each married and are now raising children who know and follow Christ, too.

When you compare these two men, who left the greater legacy?

A Legacy That Lasts

As young families, we’re bombarded with messages about saving for college, buying a home, and planning for retirement.

While these are wise and responsible goals, they aren’t the essence of a lasting legacy.

What we model and pass on to our children matters far more than anything we put in a trust fund.

Think of Jesus.

• He didn’t travel the world.
• He didn’t own a business or accumulate great wealth.
• Jesus never married or had biological children.
• He had no social media platform or political influence.

Yet his legacy has outlived kings and empires.

Human history is split into two halves because of His life, death, and resurrection.

Why?

His legacy was never built on what He owned.

It was built on who He was and how He loved.

Building a Legacy that Lasts

As parents, it’s easy to get caught up in providing and preparing financially.

But don’t forget to invest in what truly lasts.

Here are practical tips to help you build a legacy that lasts, one day at a time:

• Teach your kids about Jesus.
• Model integrity.
• Practice forgiveness.
• Prioritize presence over possessions.
• Spend time at the dinner table.
• Pray together.
• Tell them your faith stories.
• Build a home that values character over comfort.

Your children won’t remember the square footage of the house they grew up in, but they’ll remember how safe it felt.

They may forget what car you drove, but they’ll remember the prayers you whispered over them each night.

The greatest legacy you can leave isn’t in a will—it’s in the hearts and lives of the next generation.

So today, as you change diapers, read bedtime stories, or pack lunches, remember:

You’re building a legacy that lasts.

One small moment at a time.

And if you build it on faith, love, and intentionality, it will last longer than any inheritance ever could.

The Legacy Life

You are the hero of your family’s legacy story, and you need a guide to help you write that story.

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Bill High

Bill is CEO & Founder of Vyne Legacy. He works with families to equip them with tools to build multigenerational legacies, and he teaches givers and financial advisers on transformational biblical generosity. He is the co-author with David Green of Giving It All Away and Getting It All Back Again: The Way of Living Generously.

Published June 30, 2025

Topics: Family Legacy

The Legacy Life