In his book, I Almost Missed The Sunset Southern Gospel singer Bill Gaither tells a cool story about something that happened to him when he and his wife were just starting out.

Bill and Gloria Gaither were teaching school in Alexandria, Indiana, where Bill had grown up, and they wanted a piece of land where they could build a house. Bill noticed a fifteen acre parcel south of town where cattle grazed, and asked around until he learned that it belonged to a 92-year old retired banker named Mr. Yule. Bill and Gloria visited him and told him that they were interested in his piece of land.
“Not selling,” Mr. Yule said pleasantly. “Promised it to a farmer for grazing.”
Bill replied, “I know, but we teach school here and thought maybe you’d be interested in selling it to someone planning to settle in the area.”
The old banker pursed his lips and stared at Bill. “What’d you say your name was?”
“Gaither. Bill Gaither.”
“Hmm. Any relation to Grover Gaither?”
“Yes, sir. He was my granddad.”
Mr. Yule put down his paper and removed his glasses. “Interesting. Grover Gaither was the best worker I ever had on my farm. Full day’s work for a day’s pay. So honest. What’d you say you wanted?”
And that’s how Mr. Yule came to sell the property to Bill Gaither for far less than what it was worth.

Nearly three decades later, Bill and his son were strolling around that beautiful, lush property that had once been pasture land. ‘Benjy,’ Bill said, ‘you’ve had this wonderful place to grow up through nothing you’ve done, but because of the good name of a great-granddad you never met.”

Think about all of the blessings you have now because of someone that has come before you. Perhaps your great-grandfather came to this country looking for a better life. Maybe your great-great grandmother prayed for her grandchildren’s grandchildren that she would never meet.

You already know that children are affected by how they are raised by their parents. Once those children grow up, they often treat or mistreat their own children the same way. And the pattern repeats itself through generations.

Christian singer Sara Groves sings: “Remind me of this with every decision. Generations will reap what I sow. I can pass on a curse or a blessing to those I will never know.”

Proverbs 22:1 says “A good name is more desirable than great riches.”

Character is a far better inheritance than money.

However Timothy’s grandmother left him the greatest inheritance of all. Paul wrote “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and , I am persuaded, now lives in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5).

Think about the choices you are making each day. Think about what they reveal the goal of your own life to be. What legacy are you leaving for those you will never meet?