What Legacy Will You Leave? Can You Build Wealth That Matters?

Hey, let me ask you something.

What happens after the breakthrough?

You know, that time when after all the bills are finally paid and the debt's going down and you're not stuck in survival mode anymore?

What comes next?

Have you ever really stopped to think about what comes after you reach financial freedom?

Well, today I want to talk about something that goes way beyond budgets and bank accounts.

Today we're talking about legacy.

That's what you'll leave behind, who you're becoming, and how it all matters to God.

Are you ready?

Well, let's do this.

In a world where crushing debt keeps you trapped, where living paycheck to paycheck has become your new normal, and where the dream of retirement seems impossibly out of reach, there's hope.

Join financial evangelist Ralph Estepp Jr.

A man who's walked through the fire of financial failure and emerged stronger on the other side.

Welcome to Ask Ralph, the show where real world experience meets biblical truth.

To break the bondage of financial despair, get ready to take control of your money, break free from the financial stress, and align your resources with God's purpose for your life.

This is Ask Ralph with Ralph Estepp Jr.

Hi there, friend.

I'm Ralph, and I'm really glad you're here today.

Thank you for taking a few moments to join me today.

I really feel like this is going to be profitable for you.

I want you to know this episode is close to my heart.

Today I was so excited as I was putting it together, because it's not just about money.

It's truly about meaning.

See, most days I.

I talk about money.

It's what I do for a living.

I'm an accountant.

This is what I do every day.

I talk to people about money.

But today is going to be so much different than that.

Got a great question from a person named David who.

Who has this really compelling question, and I wanted to share it with you today.

It says this, Ralph, I'm starting to see the light at the end of the cycle of shame I've been in with my finances, and now I need to know, how do I build a financial legacy for my family and for God's kingdom?

And, David, let me just tell you, that was a great question.

I was so excited to receive that.

And I just want to say first, congratulations, David.

Clearly you've been putting in that daily consistent effort that I talk about every day on this show, and you're seeing results.

We talked yesterday about that brick by brick approach, David, and you're clearly seeing those results, and.

And you're starting to have what we call breathing room.

And you're actually starting to get to that next step and starting to think about those things that come next.

And I know it hasn't been easy for you.

So again I say congratulations.

But your question is so powerful.

And maybe you're listening right now, and maybe that's the same question that's been tugging on your heart as well.

So let me ask you this very simple question, and you've got to be honest with yourself.

Are you just managing your money or are you building something with it?

And see, that's a tough question.

Are you just managing your money or are you building something with it?

Because you need to understand this.

There is a difference.

There truly is.

There is a difference between managing money and building something with it.

And here's the main pain point right here.

I want you to pause what you're doing right now because this is critical and you've got to hear this.

Too many of us are moving financially.

We're, we're on that conveyor belt.

We're moving.

We're not aiming at anything.

Listen, I'm someone who enjoys going to the shooting range.

Something I've enjoyed doing since I was just a young guy.

I remember going out in the backyard with my grandfather with the old.22 rifle, and we'd set up a couple cans at the end of the driveway and, and we'd shoot the.22.

Now, he had a big piece of property, so it wasn't like in the middle of a subdivision somewhere.

And we'd have some great times just doing some target shooting.

But imagine for a moment if I didn't even set up a target, you know, there wouldn't be any can at the end of the diary.

What would I be shooting at?

And how would I manage to see where to even aim that gun?

And here's a simple truth bomb.

Your finances work the exact same way.

See, you could be working hard, you're trying to stay ahead, but if you don't have a clear picture of your why, and so many of us have failed to set up that target, we failed to set up that why.

And here's the problem.

Without vision, we drift.

Without vision, we spend.

And without vision, we just barely survive.

We just don't build anything.

And listen, I get it.

Coming out of survival mode is hard.

David, I heard that in your question today.

And it's been that day to day grind, to even find breathing room.

I call it margin.

But that daily day to day grind has left you with just, just, just barely enough breathing Room.

But listen, here's the thing I need you to hear today.

If you don't aim at something, you'll hit nothing.

See, here's the truth.

No target equals no vision.

And let me just tell you something very bold.

You are not put here just to pay bills and die.

So many people saying I'm on this conveyor belt route.

I guess my life is all about just paying those bills.

And then someday somebody is going to have to take care of that.

That's not why you're here.

So here's the shift I want to challenge you with.

Here's a shift I want you to make today.

Just one thing, just one simple thing.

I want you to write your, what I'll call your financial legacy vision statement.

Now I know that sounds like a really complicated thing, but.

But stick with me on this.

And I'm not Talking about some 10 year plan or some fancy spreadsheet.

It can be fancy, but it doesn't have to be.

I'm just talking about getting a clear in your head and in your about what kind of impact you want to make with your money.

It's really that simple.

What kind of impact?

What is that?

Legacy for a fancy term.

So I challenge you with this today.

Take a few quiet minutes.

This is a time when you've got no phone, no distractions, just you and God.

Maybe a great thing to do is take a walk.

I know when, when I get out walking sometimes and people get annoyed with me sometimes because I have a lot of colleagues that I work with and they'll get an email from me.

I like to get out early in the morning, maybe about 5 or 5:30 and.

And I'm out walking.

Things just come into my head and of course I'll send those texts or send those emails to somebody and they're like, Ralph, you know, dude, nobody else gets up at this early in the morning.

But I want you to do the same thing.

I want you to go out and just think.

I want you to ask yourself this, what do I want my money to do?

How do I want to bless my children?

What kind of giver do I want to be?

And what do I want to leave behind?

Not.

And I'm not just talking about dollars, but in values.

And then I want you to write it down, just one or two sentences.

It's really that simple.

I'll give you an example.

Now this one is a little lofty when I reread this this morning getting ready for the show.

But here's my example.

I want to build a Financial legacy that provides for my children, supports the spread of the gospel, and models generosity and wisdom for those who come after me.

Now, that's probably a little bit more involved and eloquent than you need to, and that's a mouthful.

But it needs to be your vision.

It needs to be your aim.

And let me tell you, it is critical and it is crucial that you have that target set up.

Because here's the thing.

Every financial decision becomes clearer when you know your why.

See, when you know your why, you're not just reacting.

You're building.

I remember a season in my life when I was going through a really tough time, and.

And I felt like all I did was react and.

And react.

And I bought one of those little rubber bracelets.

You.

I guess they're silicone, and I had printed on it.

Don't just react.

And I like that, because when I started to react, I'd take that thing and I'd snap it and remind me, I need you to do the same thing.

Because you're not just saving.

Think about it in these terms you're sowing.

You're sewing for that legacy for the future.

So how about we pray together?

I always think that prayer is a great thing to do.

We'll take our thoughts to God.

So let me pray with you today.

Heavenly Father, thank you for this person listening right now.

Thank you for the purpose you've placed in their.

In their life, Lord, and the resources you've put in their hands.

Because, Lord, we know you give them all to us.

Lord, we just ask that you give us clarity.

God, we know that we don't just need for today's needs.

We need for something bigger than that.

We want to build for tomorrow's legacy.

Help us to see what you see, Lord, and give us the courage to.

To dream beyond survival.

Because, Lord, we know you want so much more for us and really to truly build something that brings you glory.

Lord, I ask that our finances become a tool for freedom, a tool for making an impact, and a tool for blessing others.

And, Lord, I just place this all at your feet.

I ask this in the name of Jesus.

Amen.

What a great prayer.

And here's your next step.

Do this today.

Write your legacy vision.

Listen, don't overthink it.

Even if it's messy.

It does not have to be eloquent, even if it's small.

Just get it out, put it onto paper.

See, because here's the truth.

You don't need a million dollars to build a legacy.

You just need a vision.

I love what the Book of Proverbs, chapter 13:22 says says this.

It says, a good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children.

But it gives us this warning.

But a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.

So I circle back today and I ask you this very simple question.

What's your vision?

What's your legacy?

And it's different for everybody.

Well, thank you for hanging out with me today.

If this show has blessed you, I want to encourage you to pass it on to someone who's ready to think bigger.

And don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter.

I would love to send you a daily email as encouragement as a tool about truths that we talk about on the show.

You can do that by going to ask Ralph podcast.com newsletter because I want to walk with you in this journey and I want to walk with you with faith and confidence.

So until next time, I'm going to encourage you to keep building.

I want to encourage you to keep believing.

And never forget you're not just managing money, you're truly building a legacy.

And as I always say, stay financially savvy.

And and may God bless you abundantly today.

And go write that vision statement.

Thank you for joining us on the Ask Ralph show, and with a simple click to subscribe, we'll invite you back to our next episode.

And remember, financial issues don't have to be complicated.

Just Ask Ralph.

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