God, Goals & Generational Wealth: Building a Legacy That Lasts

Vision + Provision = Purpose

When God gives you a vision, He provides the resources—but stewardship is your responsibility. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) isn’t just about money; it’s about multiplication. The servants who doubled their master’s investment heard “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Those who buried their gifts? Not so much.

Dave Ramsey discovered this after bankruptcy in his twenties. His financial rock-bottom became his Kingdom breakthrough. Today, his empire helps millions escape debt while building generational wealth—all because he aligned his calling with biblical money principles.

Your Divine DNA

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5). You’re not accidentally wealthy—you’re strategically blessed. The question isn’t whether you have gifts, but whether you’re unwrapping them.

Truett Cathy built Chick-fil-A by closing Sundays, defying industry norms to honor the Sabbath. Critics called it financial suicide. Today, it’s one of America’s most profitable restaurant chains. Kingdom principles don’t limit wealth—they multiply it.

Legacy Lives in People, Not Bank Accounts

“A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children” (Proverbs 13:22). Notice it doesn’t say “leaves money to.” The Vanderbilt family once held wealth equivalent to $200 billion today. By 1973, none made the Forbes 400. Why? They transferred money without transferring values.

Contrast that with Sam Walton. Beyond building Walmart, he instilled work ethic, frugality, and service in his children. The Walton Family Foundation now represents one of America’s largest philanthropic forces. The difference? Legacy lived in his kids, not just their trust funds.

Training the Next Generation

Your children learn more from watching than listening. When they see you:

• Budget before you spend
• Tithe before you keep
• Pray before big decisions
• Research before you invest

You’re providing generational training. “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

Warren Buffett, despite billions in wealth, taught his children the value of hard work over entitlement. Result? His kids became successful philanthropists and leaders, not trust fund casualties.

Kingdom Economics in Action

Test God’s Promise: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven” (Malachi 3:10). R.G. LeTourneau gave away 90% of his income while living on 10%. His radical generosity coincided with unprecedented business success. You can’t out-give God.

Build on Solid Ground: “The Lord detests dishonest scales” (Proverbs 11:1). Shaky foundations create temporary wealth. Ethical foundations create lasting legacy. David Green built Hobby Lobby maintaining Christian values while competitors compromised. Today, his wealth funds biblical education and artifact preservation.

Diversify Wisely: “Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight” (Ecclesiastes 11:2). Multiple income streams protect and multiply wealth. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket—or one generation.

The Multiplication Formula

1. Clarify Your Calling – Who has God called you to be?
2. Align Your Actions – Do your financial choices reflect Kingdom values?
3. Train Your Tribe – Are your children learning stewardship or just spending?
4. Give Generously – Tithing isn’t the ceiling; it’s the floor
5. Invest Ethically – Build wealth that honors God
6. Plan Strategically – Wills, trusts, and family governance prevent generational wealth destruction

The Eternal ROI

“Command those who are rich… to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Your wealth isn’t measured by your net worth but by your Kingdom impact. The Rothschild family has maintained wealth for 250+ years through shared values, ethical practices, and purposeful stewardship. Their secret? Each generation understood they were stewards, not owners.

Your Legacy Starts Now

Every financial decision is a vote for the legacy you’re creating. Are you building wealth that will be consumed in one generation or multiplied across many? Are you leaving something for your children or something in them?

True generational wealth echoes through eternity—not just in bank accounts, but in transformed lives, strengthened families, and advanced Kingdom purposes. The question isn’t whether you have enough money to leave a legacy. The question is whether you have enough faith to build one. Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. God will multiply the rest.