Leaving a legacy

By: Alistair Begg – October 1, 2026.

Key points

• In the opening chapter, Paul had reminded Timothy that "all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes" (2 Timothy 1: 15).
• Always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. – 2 Timothy 4: 5.
• Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975.
• Narcotics unit investigating Ole Miss deaths urges Mississippi lawmakers to act on state's controlled substance laws.
• Raybern Foods expansion in Shannon bringing 70 new jobs to area.

Each of us is leaving a legacy. Every day we are adding something to the portrait of our lives, and eventually what we leave behind-our decisions, our contributions, our priorities-will remain, at least for a time, for others to reflect upon and consider.

At the end of Paul's second letter to Timothy, we find the words of an older man whose life was coming to an end: "I am already being poured out as a drink offering, " he notes, "and the time of my departure has come" (2 Timothy 4: 6). In this context, he exhorts Timothy to take his responsibilities seriously, to consider his legacy, and to contemplate both the helpful and harmful legacies left behind by plenty of that Paul encountered.

In the opening chapter, Paul had reminded Timothy that "all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes" (2 Timothy 1: 15). These individuals receive one mention in the Bible, and it is to record the fact that they deserted a man in need. Paul additionally warns Timothy to be on his guard concerning residents like Hymenaeus and Philetus, whose "talk. Spread like gangrene" and who "swerved from the truth, " or like Alexander the coppersmith, who, Paul notes, "did me great harm" (2: 17-18; 4: 14). When we look at the portraits these individuals left behind, we see a legacy of desertion, false teaching, and opposition to the gospel.

But Paul's letter is additionally replete with mention of those who left helpful, beneficial legacies. For example, Lois and Eunice demonstrated sincere faith. It paul is certain now dwells in the young pastor Timothy (2 Timothy 1: 5). Likewise, Paul exhorts his protégé to remember Onesiphorus. This person "often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me" (v 16-17). Onesiphorus left behind a legacy of faith, courage, and conviction. If he remarked he'd be somewhere, he was there. He was a man on whom Paul could fully rely.

We are all leaving a legacy. When we walk out of a room, either we leave behind the aroma of Christ that spreads the knowledge of Him everywhere (2 Corinthians 2: 15-16), or we are leaving the less pleasant smell of self-promotion or the vacuum of saying and being nothing much at all. A legacy of faithfulness, godliness, kindness, gentleness, honesty, integrity, love, and peace is a legacy that will be remembered with affection. But most importantly, it will point individuals to the one whose life matters most-the Lord Jesus.

Notably, a legacy is the accretion of daily decisions to create a difference for Christ: to love Him and love our neighbor, to pursue peace and speak of Him. Today, you will build a small-or perhaps major-part of your own legacy. So do the work God has prepared for you to do and create a difference for Him. After all, we never know when we've just created our final deposit in the legacy we're leaving. Regarding the Author(s).

Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975. After graduation from The London School of Theology, he served eight years in Scotland at both Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church. In 1983, he became the senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio. He has written a number of books and is heard daily and weekly on the radio program, Truth For Life. His Daily Devotionals are presented here via a syndication agreement. Faith Alistair Begg September 29, 2026.

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