Losing sight of your legacy

As we begin to study the Book of Judges, we see a period of time, after Joshua’s death, when Israel repeatedly disappoints God. Chapter two describes the beginning of this separation:

…And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. (Judges 2:10)

In other words, Israel began to forget what God had done in rescuing them from slavery in Egypt during Moses’ time, and then in helping them win battle after battle against the Canaanites (those battles are described in chapter one of Judges).

This passage is instructive for family businesses because it reminds us that the land – the physical asset – was not the most important aspect of Israel’s legacy. Instead, it was the recollection of God’s blessings, laws, and values. It was the way in which Israel understood God to act in the world and in history. And Israel was beginning to forget.

How many times in family business do we confuse our legacy with our financial or physical assets? Your true legacy lies in the values, the character, and the culture-forming stories that are passed from one generation to the next. All assets (even land) will eventually be divided, sold, and spent. But your love for God and the values that are passed down, the stories of faith that have formed your family’s character, those have the potential to be passed again and again. Don’t let family members forget how important God has been to you.

What is an important story in the history your family or business that the next generation needs to understand? Where have you found evidence of God’s care or blessing in your family business?