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These words of the Lord (The Golden Rule), should influence us as we contemplate on life and what we leave behind as a legacy to the world.

I was reading an article recently on Henry Dunant, who was born into a very wealthy Swiss banking family. He is not remembered for his banking skills and in fact was so unsuccessful in business that he was declared bankrupt in 1867. In those days, this was a life sentence to have to spend the rest of one’s days in poverty and so he did.

But Henry Dunant left the world something greater than anything that a lucrative business could. He was the founder of the International Red Cross, which he began with very humble means, but a strong belief in our text word. For over 150 years and still to-day, through that teaching, has bought humanitary aid to many thousands all over the world through volunteers following that teaching.

Because he witnessed the aftermath of the Battle of Sobferino and saw the plight of the wounded on both sides, he travelled and lobbied governments, churches and organisations to set up an organisation to bring comfort and help to soldiers and civilians affected by conflict. This was not done by having wealth behind him, but only by the strong desire and belief in Christ’s teachings and those given by the Holy Spirit through the early Apostles. Romans 12: 14-17. “Bless them which persecute you: bless and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”

In his zeal, he was instrumental in setting up the Geneva Convention and was part of the final laws to abolish slavery in 1875. This was all achieved while penniless and at times having to sleep on park benches. What a legacy he has left behind.

We know we all cannot become noble prize winners, but we can all leave a worthwhile legacy for the future that can continue on. The greatest example of this can be seen in life and community where parents, grandparents and teachers not only provide the children with food, clothing, education and a home in this life, but go the next step in providing an ongoing legacy for the world by instilling in them reverence for God, belief in His Creation, the love and Grace of the Lord, the value of church life, to love life, respect for people and property, courtesy and kindness to all.

By achieving this, what we leave behind, will be a legacy that will make the future world a better place, as more try to emulate the virtues of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:13 “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of stature of the fullness of Christ.”