Legacy vs Inheritance

In this part of the world, inheritance is taken so seriously that it often leads to strife or total destruction of families of the decedent. These days, most youths (especially from wealthy descents) depend on their prospective inheritance and thus aspire to be nothing. Their belief would be, why labour when the result for it (labour) is already given free of charge?

Inheritance is the passing of title or ownership of physical properties (and even debts) to another (mostly family members) by a person upon death. Most reasonable people love the idea of leaving a good inheritance for loved ones but is that all you leave behind?

Would you like to be remembered like Steve Jobs or Nelson Mandela? Both were great men and did great things while they walked this earth. The former was the co-founder of Apple Inc. while the latter was the former president of South Africa, an activist and philanthropist. Both left inheritance for the people they left behind, but something was different between the two.

Posts had gone viral on the last moment regrets of Steve Jobs, while in the case of Mandela, we can say he died a fulfilled man. Why did Jobs have regrets? He lived a life that centered on the acquisition of material things. He invested in things, and got things - in plenty. On his death bed, he realised one thing, he was alone, despite his many acquisitions. He had failed to invest in people, family, friends, love. But in the case of Mandela, he affected lives and when he died, the whole world mourned him.

Do you know what is different about them? Steve left an inheritance while Mandela left a legacy.

Based on English definition, Inheritance and legacy mean the same thing, but with a slight difference. While Inheritance is just physical properties, legacy goes beyond this.

T. D Jakes, in one of his interviews, said this: "Children are not made great by what you leave for them (inheritance), but what you leave in them (legacy)." This statement sums it up. Instead of leaving just an inheritance, leave a legacy. Leave a legacy of integrity. Leave a legacy of honesty. Leave a legacy of virtues. This is what the world will remember you for and this is what will propel those you left behind in the right direction.

Build a legacy that will continue to affect lives hundreds of years after you are gone.