Legacy is a mindset. But what “legacy mindset” must you have in order to succeed?

When AJ began his business, he began with little thought to legacy. Mainly, he thought about surviving for the first few years. But eventually he crossed that hurdle, and the business actually reached a point of solid sustainability. He could breathe easier.

Eventually, the momentum shifted, locations increased, employee count grew, and profitability rose. The business was thriving.

But winning is not the point of legacy. Or to put it differently, accumulation is not the goal.

In order to succeed at legacy, we need to undergo a mindset shift from accumulation to faithfulness.

Legacy mindset: faithfulness

Faithfulness is the heart of legacy. It is the idea that we’ll be faithful with what we’ve been given. God has entrusted financial resources, but He has also entrusted us with far more valuable things: our families and our ability to influence them (and others) for good.

When faithfulness becomes our core, our possessions become secondary to a higher priority: thriving children and families. God has called us to be faithful to pass on our values to our children and grandchildren.

If we make the accumulation of financial resources the goal, then we lose sight of these significant opportunities and responsibilities. Faithfulness keeps us centered on what is valuable in God’s eyes. It helps us remember that we answer to a greater Master than money and stuff.

If you want to get started with your family on exploring and transferring your values, a great place to start the conversation is by choosing to give as a family.

Related posts:
8 Generations of Cologne?
5 Essential Factors to the 100-Year Family
Growing a Generous Family

Photo credit: iStockphoto.com

Bill High

Bill is CEO of The Signatry: A Global Christian Foundation. He works with families, individual givers, and financial advisers to share the foundation’s message regarding biblical generosity and charitable giving. 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 February 15, 2019

Topics: Family Legacy

FaithFamily BusinessFamily LegacyValues