David’s Legacy – Solomon’s However Inheritance

David’s Legacy – Solomon’s However Inheritance

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“Inheritance is what we leave for someone; legacy is what we leave in someone.” 

I will give you hidden treasures,
    riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the Lord … (Isaiah 45:3) 

Legacy Deals – Inheritance Deals 

When I was in business and did well on a real estate deal, or a construction project, it was an absolute thrill. It puffed up my pride and showed everyone – especially me – just how smart and savvy I was. (At least in my mind) 

But these days the real thrill – the ultimate thrill – is seeing a man’s life changed, and then him, his marriage and his family, transformed by Jesus. The fact that Jesus allows me to play a role in His process is a far greater thrill than anything I have ever experienced.  

Far greater? Ha, business deals versus lives being transformed are not even in the same universe! 

Last week, we saw the “however” caveats about Solomon’s life. It is rarely a good thing when a “however” follows one’s name. Imagine my headstone saying something like: 

“Here lies Sam Hunter. He gave his life and his life’s work to Jesus. However …” 

Let’s be frank: Do any of my accomplishments really matter if they are followed by a however? If I am not a man after God’s own heart, like King David, then perhaps any business and community accolades I received become only a shallow inheritance. My legacy is tarnished and diminished by the … however. 

King David: Legacy vs Construction Projects 

You may recall that God does not let David build God’s house – his temple. But instead he has in mind something far greater than a construction project: a “forever” house for David: 

“‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 

13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. (2 Samuel 7:11-13) 

God is saying to David, “Instead of you building me a physical house, I am going to build you a spiritual forever house, filled with your legacy.” 

So, ask yourself, “Would I rather build a house … a legacy … of eternal significance, or am I still working for an inheritance of eternal insignificance?” 

If I am focused on a legacy that points to Jesus, then my focus will be on others, and their “insides.” If I am still stuck on inheritance, then my however focus will be all on my “outsides.” 

As Dallas Willard observed, “Anything that is not eternally significant is eternally insignificant.”