For the balance of this week, the retail consumer marketing thrust will continue to play off the “dads and grads” tag. Honoring young scholars is often easier than figuring out what to do about old fathers. Mother’s Day is much safer; most folks have warm feelings about their mom memories. Sadly, the adverse is true for too many regarding their dads. As culture turns attention to Father’s Day on Sunday, how will you be doing?

It’s no surprise that “legacy” has become a powerful, though, confused longing; everyone wants to leave one – or, inherit one – but few have even an elementary understanding of the true nature of inter-generational legacy. Without a true sense of legacy – defined and delivered by a dad while respected and received by sons and daughters – the cards sold by Hallmark will be banal and empty.

Did you receive a legacy from your father? And, if you have children, are you transferring a meaningful legacy on to them? How would you articulate the critical ingredients found in the recipe for heritage that only gets better when passed down?

There are three critical ingredients that comprise a meaningful inheritance. Note them; recognize that they are non-negotiables, and they must occur in systematic order to gain the power that propels next-gens onto greatness. What are they?

The first element is the Invaluable. Oxford defines that as “indispensable,” and they’re right. What is the most important – and foundational – aspect of legacy that God has entrusted to fathers, to pass to their children? The answer is clear and concise: it is a personal, saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The most important thing that any father will hand-down to his kids is to be followers of Jesus because of what they watched play-out in their dad’s daily reality. Miss this, and nothing else will ever matter. Legacy starts with the Invaluable.

The second element is the Values. Oxford defines values as “principles or standards of behavior.” Tragically, expressive oncoming generations are painfully reporting that their values take-away from their family of origin is to embrace the antithesis of what they observed in their father. In legal terms, it’s called disclaiming an inheritance: the heir renounces any interest in receiving what has been left by the prior generation. When that occurs regarding values, it constitutes the loss of legacy.

Key point: without the Invaluable of a common faith, there is no biblical foundation for family values to emerge; the combined forces of theology and pathology allow the parent generation to define the vital distinctives that can then replicate in successive generations, aided by the invisible but powerful Hand of God.

The third element of legacy is Valuables. The tangible assets that show up on one’s balance sheet are the least important aspect of legacy, though – tragically – they constitute the overwhelming focus of professional services that operate under the general heading of “legacy.”

These three pass-throughs must occur in their divinely-designed order; any attempt to violate that model will withdraw God’s blessing over the family’s future. The first priority is personal faith: until that is observed in one’s kids, any attempt to instill Family Values will be impossible. Faith is crucial, but without the critical addition of credible values that can instill wisdom into next-gen life, the opportunity to experience life to the full – Jesus’ promised outcome – will be nullified.

Only when the Invaluable of faith and the values of wisdom are in evidence can you responsibly consider the transfer of material wealth – owned by God, but entrusted to you, to steward on His behalf, on His terms – to your children. The fact that you were worthy of God’s blessing does not mean that your kids are entitled to His resources transferred to them. 

Invaluable first. Values next. Valuables last… IF the first two have been certified.

If your father has effectively passed legacy to you, next Sunday is your chance to honor him. Whether he’s here with you – or, in Heaven before you – recognize that he achieved the highest level of paternal significance possible.

And, armed with what you now know: commit to spend the rest of your mortal days transferring a meaningful legacy to your kids and their kids that will allow them to hold you – and your memory – in the highest regard possible.

Two great wins in life: to have the Ultimate Heavenly Father, and to have an Extraordinary Earthly Father. That combo is unbeatable!

Bob Shank