Toward the end of the 19th century, Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel awoke one morning to read his own obituary in the local newspaper.  It read: 

“Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, who died yesterday, devised a way for more people to be killed in a war than ever before; he died a very rich man.”

Actually, it was Alfred’s oldest brother who had died; a newspaper reporter had messed up the epitaph. The account had a profound effect on Alfred. He decided he wanted to be known for something other than developing a means to kill people efficiently, and for amassing a fortune in the process. So he initiated the Nobel Prize, the award for scientist and writers who foster peace. Nobel said later: “Every man ought to have the chance to correct their obituary in midstream and write a new one.”

When you are young your future is at stake…but as you get older your legacy is at stake. Our legacy is one of the most valuable treasures we can leave behind on this earth. It is greater than money and greater than possessions. The legacy we leave to others is a gift that can change their future. We have all been impacted by friends and family members that have passed on. Not to be fatalistic, but what kind of impact will you have when you have passed on? What will others say about the legacy that you left on earth? What will you be remembered for?

Here are 5 areas of life that we need to leave a legacy in…

1. Family

The most important people that will gain the most from our legacy is our family. Those that have been close to us and those that we have raised over the years. Family is the constant in life. Friends will come and go but family is with you forever. Always make sure you are making the impact you want to make in your family, especially in kids. Your kids will grow up to be a reflection of you somehow, someway. Make sure you are intentional to leave your mark in their life.

2. Friends

Outside of family our friends are the next in line to receive a great legacy. They are the ones that have been close to us in the good times and bad. Those closest to us should be better off because of our legacy. Make sure you are reaching out to your friends and making a difference in their lives as you serve them and encourage them. Your legacy can be the difference in their life.

3. Co-Workers

The people you work with should have great things to say about you. They should see your hard work and Christ-like attitude in all that you do. There is no legacy in being a complainer and a downer. Be a light to your co-workers by being a great example of the legacy you want to leave in them.

4. Strangers

You never know how your actions will impact others. Leave a legacy by serving those that you may never see again. Be the kind of person that reaches out to others and is an ambassador of Christ. Love others even when they hurt you, love others even when they don’t know you, love others even when they ignore you.

5. Our Work

Our work and the things we spend our time doing should be driven by the legacy we want to make in life. Invest your life into things that matter. Never lose sight of the purpose and significance of the things you do. If you don’t feel purpose in your work, look for it, if you can’t find it there…find it somewhere else. Don’t spend your life doing things that you don’t want to do. Spend your life doing things that you were created to do. John Wesley said, 

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”