Living a Life of Legacy: Faith, Stewardship, and Eternity

Devotional

Day 1: Live with the Finish Line in View

Living with eternity in mind shapes our daily choices, priorities, and the legacy we leave behind. When we focus on the ultimate goal—standing before Jesus and hearing “well done, good and faithful servant”—it changes how we invest our time, resources, and relationships. The world constantly pulls us toward temporary wins and distractions, but the Spirit calls us to lift our eyes to what truly lasts. Ask God to help you see beyond the immediate and to live each day with the end in sight, so that your life leaves an eternal impact. [40:28]

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to focus on temporary success rather than eternal significance? How can you shift your perspective today to live with the finish line in view?

Day 2: True Legacy Flows from a Heart Changed by Grace

Genuine acts of compassion and generosity are not about earning God’s favor, but are the natural response of a heart transformed by His love. When you are filled with the grace of God, you begin to see the needs of others and are moved to serve, give, and invest in people for eternity. If you find your heart growing cold or self-focused, ask for a fresh baptism of God’s love so that your actions flow from gratitude and faith, not obligation or fear. [57:23]

Matthew 25:34-40 (ESV)
"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"

Reflection: Who is one “least of these” in your world today that you can serve or encourage as an overflow of God’s grace in your life?

Day 3: Stewardship—Faithfully Managing What God Has Entrusted

Every resource, relationship, and opportunity in your life is an entrustment from God, and He calls you to steward them with faithfulness and purpose. The parable of the talents reminds us that God knows our capacity and expects us to invest what He’s given us for His kingdom. It’s not about comparison, but about using what’s in your hand to make a difference. When you are faithful with little, God entrusts you with more. Live today as a steward, not an owner, and seek to multiply what God has placed in your care. [01:01:48]

Matthew 25:14-21 (ESV)
"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’"

Reflection: What is one specific resource, relationship, or opportunity God has entrusted to you that you can intentionally invest for His kingdom this week?

Day 4: It’s Never Too Late to Leave a Legacy

No matter your past mistakes, failures, or missed opportunities, God’s grace means it is never too late to begin living a life of legacy. The story of the thief on the cross shows that a single moment of humility and faith can change everything—not just for yourself, but for generations who hear your story. Even if you feel like you’re in the “fourth quarter” or have wasted years, God can birth a new legacy through your surrender and simple prayer: “Jesus, don’t forget about me.” [01:08:40]

Luke 23:39-43 (ESV)
"One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, 'Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!' But the other rebuked him, saying, 'Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.' And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' And he said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.'"

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel disqualified from leaving a legacy? What would it look like to bring that to Jesus today and trust Him to redeem your story?

Day 5: Responding to God’s Invitation—Receiving and Extending Grace

The invitation to legacy begins with receiving the grace of Jesus and responding in faith. No matter where you are or what you’ve done, God’s arms are open to you. When you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart, you are welcomed into His family and empowered to live as His disciple. This is the foundation of a life that matters for eternity—receiving grace and then extending it to others. [01:11:30]

Romans 10:9-10 (ESV)
"Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

Reflection: Have you personally received the grace of Jesus and surrendered your life to Him? If so, who is one person you can share this hope with or invite into God’s family this week?

Sermon Summary

Today, the call is to live with eternity in mind, to see beyond the temporary and invest our lives in what truly lasts. Life is short, eternity is real, and people matter most. Every day, each of us is leaving a legacy—an imprint on the lives of others—whether we realize it or not. The question is not if we will leave a legacy, but what kind of legacy we will leave. Some leave behind cycles of pain or brokenness, but in Christ, we are invited to leave a legacy of love, generosity, and kingdom impact.

To do this, we must keep the finish line in clear view. The apostle Paul, at the end of his life, could say he fought the good fight and finished the race, looking forward to the crown of righteousness. Our true “win” is not found in temporary achievements or possessions, but in hearing our Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” This perspective shapes how we live, give, and treat others. The world constantly pulls us toward the temporary, but the Spirit calls us to invest in eternity.

As a church, this means stretching beyond comfort—planting churches, investing in missions, and reaching into places like prisons where hope is desperately needed. The resources we steward—our time, money, influence—are not our own, but entrusted to us by God. He expects us to use them for His purposes, multiplying what He’s given us for the sake of others. The story of the talents in Matthew 25 reminds us that faithfulness with what we have leads to greater entrustment, while neglect leads to loss.

But legacy is not just for the “successful” or those with a perfect track record. Even the thief on the cross, in his final moments, left a legacy of hope by simply turning to Jesus and asking, “Don’t forget about me.” Grace is available to all, no matter our past. It’s never too late to start living for the bigger picture, to surrender to Christ, and to let His love move us to action.

Ultimately, the invitation is to live as stewards, not owners, and to let the love of Christ compel us to serve, give, and reach out—knowing that what we do for the least, we do for Him. The finish line is coming, and the King is returning. May we be found faithful, living for what matters most.

Key Takeaways

1. Live with the finish line in view Living with eternity in mind changes how we approach every day. When we remember that our true reward is to hear Christ say, “Well done,” we are freed from chasing temporary wins and empowered to invest in what lasts. This perspective brings clarity and purpose, helping us prioritize people and the kingdom over fleeting achievements. [40:28]
2. Steward God’s entrustment faithfully Everything we have—time, resources, influence—is a trust from God, not our own possession. Faithfulness is measured not by how much we have, but by how we use what’s been given. God multiplies what we surrender, and our willingness to invest in others opens doors for greater impact. Neglecting our stewardship leads to loss, but faithfulness brings abundance and joy. [61:48]
3. Let love move you beyond yourself True legacy flows from a heart transformed by God’s love. When we are filled with His Spirit, our focus shifts from self-preservation to serving others, especially the marginalized and forgotten. If our hearts grow cold or indifferent, it’s a sign we need a fresh encounter with Christ’s love, which always compels us outward. [57:23]
4. It’s never too late to leave a legacy No matter your past or how much time you think you have left, God’s grace can birth a legacy in a single moment of surrender. The thief on the cross reminds us that one humble cry to Jesus can change everything, offering hope to the most broken and the assurance that it’s never too late to start living for eternity. [68:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[35:10] - Stirring Hunger for God
[35:52] - Inviting the Holy Spirit
[36:24] - Life is Short, Eternity is Real
[37:58] - What is Legacy?
[40:28] - Living with the End in Mind
[42:30] - Investing in People and Kingdom
[44:59] - Updates from Church Campuses
[47:28] - Vision for Prison Church Network
[49:23] - Everyone Plays a Part
[53:02] - Serving Families and Community
[55:20] - Living with the Finish Line in View
[57:23] - The Heart Response of Grace
[61:48] - Stewardship and Entrustment
[66:45] - The King is Coming
[68:40] - The Thief on the Cross: It’s Never Too Late
[71:30] - Responding to God’s Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV) — > I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Matthew 25:31-40 (ESV) — > “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

Luke 23:39-43 (ESV) — > One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Observation Questions

According to 2 Timothy 4:7-8, what does Paul say awaits him after finishing his race, and who else is this reward for?
In Matthew 25, what kinds of actions does Jesus say are done “to Him” when they are done for others? [55:20]
What was the difference between the two criminals crucified next to Jesus in Luke 23, and what did Jesus promise the one who turned to Him? [01:08:40]
In the sermon, what are some specific ways the church is investing in people and the kingdom, rather than just buildings or temporary things? [42:30]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul focus on “the crown of righteousness” and hearing “well done” from Jesus as the true reward, rather than earthly achievements? How might this perspective change someone’s daily life? [40:28]
In Matthew 25, why do you think Jesus connects serving the “least of these” with serving Himself? What does this reveal about God’s heart for people? [55:20]
The story of the thief on the cross shows that it’s never too late to leave a legacy. What does this teach about God’s grace and the possibility of change, even at the end of life? [01:08:40]
The sermon talks about being stewards, not owners, of our time, money, and influence. What does it mean to be a steward in God’s kingdom, and how is that different from being an owner? [01:01:48]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to “live with the finish line in view.” What is one area of your life where you tend to focus on temporary wins instead of eternal impact? What would it look like to shift your focus in that area this week? [40:28]
Think about the resources God has entrusted to you—your time, money, relationships, or skills. Is there something you’ve been holding back that you sense God wants you to invest for His kingdom? What’s one step you can take to be a more faithful steward? [01:01:48]
The message says that true legacy flows from a heart transformed by God’s love. Is there a group of people or a need (like the marginalized, the poor, or those in prison) that you’ve felt indifferent toward? What would it look like to let God’s love move you to action? [57:23]
The church is stretching beyond comfort to plant churches, invest in missions, and reach into prisons. Is there a way you can stretch beyond your comfort zone to serve or give in a new way this month? [42:30]
The story of the thief on the cross reminds us it’s never too late to start living for eternity. Is there an area of your life where you feel like it’s “too late” to make a difference? How does this story encourage you to take a step of faith now? [01:08:40]
The sermon says, “What we do for the least, we do for Him.” Who is someone in your life right now that might be considered “the least” by the world? What is one practical thing you can do for them this week? [55:20]
When was the last time you prayed, “Jesus, don’t forget about me”? How can you make space this week to honestly surrender your life and legacy to Christ, no matter your past? [01:08:40]

Sermon Clips

When we stand before our Savior face to face, and we fought the good fight, and we finished our race, and therefore there is laid up for us a crown of righteousness, not just for us, but for all who love his appearing. And the Lord himself looks at you and says, well done, good and faithful servant. That's the win. And if I will live my life with the end in sight, I will live well. I will give well. I will invest well. I will treat people right. But you got to keep the finish line in focus. [00:41:57] (30 seconds) #ChurchIsPeopleNotBuildings

Now let me be quick to say that the list that Jesus lays out in this chapter is not about you doing the list so you can earn grace and favor. That's called a religion of dead works. And the Bible talks about that. Religion works like this. Do more, give more, serve more, do the right stuff to earn God's favor. But it's clear in Ephesians chapter two, that we are saved by grace through faith. It is what? Not of works. So it doesn't matter how many prisons we go to or how much food we give away if we've not received the grace of God. [00:57:27] (36 seconds) #EntrustmentAccountability

Because this is the anointing of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised. He said, you're going to receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will, in fact, change the world. So if I get to where I don't care, about the prison church network, I don't care about feeding the hungry, I don't care about church plants and expansion. It just means I need a fresh baptism of the love of God. I need more of Him and less of me. Get over myself and get filled with the power of God. [00:59:01] (27 seconds) #WellDoneGoodAndFaithful

I'll tell you one great moment I had. I was out here at Solano Prison. Shout out to Solano. Love you guys. And I'm speaking, and we had to move with God. Holy Spirit's in the room. So I go get in my car. I go through three different gates or security levels, and they shut those gates behind you and those doors behind you, and it just does something in your bones. I get in my car, and I'm getting ready to pull out on the main road, and the Holy Spirit whispers to me as clear as I'm talking to you, and He said this, thanks for visiting me. It wrecked me. [00:59:59] (30 seconds)

And I realized something. That's my goal. That's my prize. That's my finish line. That one day, and this is not Christian fantasy or folklore, one day you will stand before Him, and I will stand before Him, and I want to see my captain, my king, the Lord Himself, the righteous judge of all the earth, look me in the eye and say, well done, good and faithful servant. I was in San Quentin, and you came and visited me. That's my prize. That's my finish line in Jesus' name. [01:00:30] (34 seconds)

God knows your capacity. He knows your abilities. He knows your talents. He knows your spheres of influence. And so he invests in you appropriately, but he's looking for a return on that investment. Then he left on his trip. Everybody say, after a long time. That's where we're living right now. You are in the middle of a long time. 2,000 years ago, the master left. And he's coming back for his bride. And after a long time, he returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they used his money. [01:02:03] (31 seconds)

I want to tell you something, it's never too late. I was reading through the narratives in all Gospels of Jesus when He went to the cross for our sins just a couple months ago. And I found something in the book of Luke that I've never preached from and never really dug into. The fact that Jesus was crucified between two thieves is in all four Gospels, but only Luke goes into detail. So Jesus, He carries His cross up Golgotha, the cross beam, and they put the cross in the ground, crown of thorns on His head, and they hang Him on that cross for our sins. [01:08:00] (35 seconds)

And then the thief on the right, who didn't have that entitlement, he had humility. He looks over and goes, hey, this man has done nothing, but we deserve our punishment. And then he looks at Jesus and he makes this statement that captured my heart. He said, Lord, when you come into your kingdom, will you remember me? And what did Jesus say? He looks over, he says, today, this day, today, you'll be with me in paradise. [01:09:08] (28 seconds)

Now consider this. Here's a man dying for his crime. And he makes one statement. He doesn't have time to get saved, baptized in water, join a membership class, join a local church, and serve. He's probably going to die within the hour of suffocation. And he makes one statement. Don't forget about me. Hey, Jesus, don't forget about me. Do you know that that one moment has left a legacy of hope for broken people for 2,000 years? Because we hear about this and we think, if that's all it took, if that's all it took was, Jesus, don't forget about me. [01:09:49] (43 seconds)

The grace of God is revealed in that moment. And I'm telling you, you might have train wrecked the last 20 years. You may have been through two bankruptcies and a couple divorces and some addiction or whatever. And the nature of the grace of God is in a moment when we look at the Son of God crucified for the sins of the world. And we say, Jesus, don't forget about me. Legacy is birth. Legacy is born. We can live there today. [01:10:33] (32 seconds)

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