The Spiritual Legacy We Must Pass On
“Asa’s heart was fully committed to the LORD all his life.”
(1 Kings 15:14)
In the midwestern region of the state of Georgia, there once lived a family known as the “Lester family,” who were renowned for their immense wealth. The Lesters amassed a great fortune through tobacco farming, purchasing all the surrounding farmland to cultivate the crop.
It is said that one could not even enter the town without stepping onto land owned by the Lesters. The local roads came to be known as “Tobacco Roads,” named for the industry that built the family’s fortune.
Lester left behind a vast inheritance of land and money for his descendants. However, the family began a decline that spanned generations, and by the third generation, they had fallen into complete ruin.
Jeeter Lester, a member of the third generation, ended up as a tenant farmer—the only one of his line still living in that town. He had 17 children; five died young, and nine ran away from home.
Jeeter and his wife lived a lonely existence, clinging to their ancestral land. One day, while they were burning a pile of weeds, the fire spread to their home, claiming both of their lives.
There is a common saying that “wealth does not last beyond three generations.” This reflects the reality that, no matter how much money is bequeathed, maintaining such an inheritance for three generations is an incredibly difficult task.
One cannot overstate the importance of passing on one’s faith to one’s children. There is a reason why families who pass on both wealth and faith are able to continue to thrive and prosper through the generations. This is a key theme in the Books of Kings. Following the division of the kingdom, the southern kingdom of Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel engaged in war for three generations—a tragic, fratricidal conflict, with each side claiming to be the legitimate successor.
The Books of Kings focus on contrasting instances where the spiritual heritage was faithfully preserved with those where it was not. In the south, Rehoboam was succeeded by Abijam, who reigned for less than three years before his death; he was followed by his son Asa, who reigned for 41 years.
In the north, after Jeroboam’s son Nadab had reigned for two years, Baasha staged a coup, killed Nadab and all the remaining descendants of Jeroboam, and seized the throne, reigning for 24 years.
The narrative in the Books of Kings places particular emphasis on the assessment of Asa, noting that his heart remained fully devoted to God throughout his entire life. Asa acted with integrity before God.
He expelled those who practiced ritual prostitution, destroyed idols, and stripped his grandmother Maakah of her position as queen mother because of her devotion to idols—a task that surely would not have been easy.
King Asa’s restoration of true worship prompted those among the northern kingdom of Israel—the “remnant” who longed for authentic worship—to return to Judah (2 Chronicles 15:9).
The lesson we must take to heart is encapsulated in two phrases:
“Throughout his entire life” and “fully devoted.” “Asa’s heart was fully committed to the LORD all his life” (1 Kings 15:14).
This is the spiritual legacy that we must pass on.
Heavenly Father,
may we also serve the Lord wholeheartedly throughout our entire lives,
and may we pass on this spiritual legacy to the next generation.
I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
