When considering Biblical manhood, we quickly think about the here and now. How can I love my wife more like Christ loved the Church (Eph. 5:25)? How can I best train my child up in the way they should go (Prov. 22:6)? How do I diligently labor for the glory of God at my job (Ecc. 9:10)? How do I display Christlikeness in the city square, applying biblical wisdom in society (2 Cor. 10:5)?
These questions are excellent and necessary for us, and you may find it helpful to think about them even now. However, as men, we cannot be so captivated by these questions that we neglect to consider the future. We must consider the legacy that we are creating for future generations. What we do now, how we love our families, work carefully, and exhibit holiness sets the tone for the generations who will come after us.
A Negative Example
Often, examples of how not to do something are more helpful to me. Seeing the lasting results of poor decisions gives me severe warnings, which then motivates me to strive even more toward obedience.
A glaring example in the Old Testament concerns a man who did not consider how his failings to be a biblical man would impact his legacy. His name is King David. I am sure that you are familiar with his story. He was anointed king of Israel by the prophet Samuel, and jealousy overwhelmed King Saul, who repeatedly attempted to kill his God-ordained successor. Ultimately, David took the throne, and the Lord enabled him to be a mighty man of valor and a good king. Yet, David was not perfect; he wrestled with the world, his flesh, and the devil (Ja. 3:15). We even know the sin that he committed as he took Bathsheba as his wife and had her husband, Uriah the Hittite, murdered on the front lines of battle. However, our remembrance of his failure usually stops there, but there were lasting repercussions due to his iniquity.
In 2 Samuel 13, we read about David's son, Amnon, lusting over his half-sister, Tamar. Amnon, quite frankly, sexually desires her. Therefore, he devises a plan to have his way with her. He pretends to be sick, has Tamar bring food into his room, in her vulnerability, rapes her, and then sends her away in disgust. He has taken what he desired and is now done with her. Tamar is ashamed of what has happened, and their brother, Absalom, plans vengeance against Amnon for what he has done. Absalom harbors hatred of his brother for two years and ultimately devises his plan to murder him, flees, and sets his eyes on stealing the throne away from his father.
This story sounds like a dramatic television series, but it is historically true. Even more, it turns our stomachs to read, and it should. The sins of rape and murder are gripping and disgusting; the proper response is to find the narrative repulsive. Nevertheless, we must think about it. In his commentary on 2 Samuel, Dr. Dale Ralph Davis asks, "Where did David's sons learn such wicked behavior?" The answer is shocking. They learned it from David, their father. David desires a woman, and so he sinfully takes her for himself. He wants to cover up the transgression that he has committed, so he murders Bathsheba’s husband. We see the parallels, right? David’s transgressions left a generational impact in all the wrong ways, and 2 Samuel 13 isn’t even the end of the generational consequences of his sin.
Surely, we desire to leave something better for the generations following us. So, how do we do it? I want to offer a few principles:
1. We strive to leave a spiritual inheritance.
As men, we must strive to kill the sin in our lives and pursue Christlikeness (Col. 3:5). Like David, we are at war with the world, our flesh, and the devil. Therefore, we are to put on the full armor of God and step onto the spiritual battlefield (Eph. 6: 10-13). It is for our spiritual good, not only ours but also for the generational legacy that will come after us.
When our children see us going to war against “the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Eph. 6:12), they will be more inclined to do likewise. When sons see their father putting to death the lust that remains in his flesh, they, too, will put their own lust to death. When a daughter sees her father striving to love her mother faithfully, she will pursue a man who will love her faithfully. When children see their father prioritizing the Lord's Day, they will be more inclined to honor the Sabbath rightly. The list could go on, but take the principle of Proverbs 22:6 seriously: when we train our children in the way they should go, they will not depart from it when they are older.
2. We strive to leave an earthly inheritance.
This one might be shocking to you, but scripturally, there is a principle we should not ignore. The Bible speaks of finances and leaving the future generations' inheritance. We see this principle displayed with Abraham as he gives portions of his good to his children, leaving the inheritance to Isaac (Gen. 25:6).
Of course, material possessions, and especially money, can become idolatrous. Our hearts cannot treasure money, and our hope cannot be in material things. However, proper stewardship, derived from a love of God, can help us understand how to leave an earthly inheritance that will benefit the generations that come after us. If we know how important it is for us as Christian men to accept that our wealth is a gift from God, then we will use it humbly for him.
Let me tackle, first, tithing. Tithing is still an imperative from the scriptures. We are to give back to God the first fruits of his blessings to us in an acknowledgment that everything we have comes from him (Lev. 23:10). It is a response to God's gracious care, but also, we are to tithe to the church for the next two generations so that they have the opportunity and place to worship God (Prov. 13:21-22). How often do we think about that second point? We sacrificially give to the church so that it remains a House of Worship for our children's children. Men by giving to the Church, you are demonstrating humility to the Lord, and thanksgiving for what he has done and will do, before your children. Trust me, they are watching.
Secondly, though, I also need to mention inheritance. The possessions and wealth that the Lord gives us, no matter how great or small, are not to be wasted selfishly but used with an eye on future generations. This is counter-cultural. Often, in our selfish and consumer society, people do not even consider their own future, let alone the future of the generations that will follow them. But, as Christian men, we are responsible not only for providing an inheritance for our children and their children, but we must also contribute financially to see Christ's kingdom sustained and even advancing. Consider how this will impact your family for generations! Not only will your children, and their children, recognize your sacrificial love and leadership within the family, but they will be encouraged to do the same for their children and grandchildren. With your commitment, you are establishing a long line of men who will lead, care, and protect their families well.
Generational faithfulness is a concern of God's heart. Because of this, he also gives us the duty to care about it. Therefore, we must purposefully work to leave a legacy for the future generations of our family. Men, with that in mind, keep watch over yourselves so that you might leave a strong spiritual inheritance. Also, financially plan and sacrificially give to leave a durable earthly inheritance. What you do now will affect your children's children.
Matt Adams is the senior minister of First Presbyterian Church in Dillon, SC, and serves as an editor for Reforming Men.
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