Have you ever wandered through ancient ruins, imagining the lives of the people who built them? Their choices and values are etched into stone, hinting at the stories of their time. Just as these remnants inspire us to reflect on the past, our daily actions shape the legacies we leave for the future.

But legacies aren’t only found in monuments or material wealth — they’re in the relationships we nurture, the kindness we show and the values we pass on. At Wycliffe, we believe that making God’s Word accessible to people through Bible translation builds a profound legacy of faith in individuals, families and communities.

What story will your life tell to future generations?

Legacy Beyond Wealth

When churches talk about legacy and generosity, the focus is often on financial giving. Yet building a meaningful legacy is about stewarding all we’ve been given: our time, talents, treasures and so much more!

The Bible reminds us that while our possessions are temporary, the choices we make today can have eternal significance so we need to live intentionally: “… Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NLT). Our legacy is shaped by how we live daily — not just grand gestures but also small acts of kindness and faithfulness.

Living generously means investing in things that matter for eternity. Supporting Bible translation ensures future generations encounter the gospel in their own language. Because when people meet God through His Word, their lives are changed forever.

A Story in the Making: The Light Coming to the Yalë

At Wycliffe, we celebrate Bible translation milestones. These milestones are evidence of God’s faithful love to His people and also serve as the starting point for people to know Him through His Word and build lasting legacies of faith in their communities.

On May 4, 2024, the Yalë people in Papua New Guinea celebrated the dedication of their New Testament and portions of Genesis in their language. It was a day of worship, prayer and rejoicing as God’s Word became accessible in a language that speaks to their hearts. Speeches from numerous people all referenced God’s faithfulness to the Yalë. A local pastor issued a heartfelt challenge to the Yalë community:

As a man named Boaz opened a box and lifted up the first copy of the Yalë Scripture portions, he called out: “Ëhwati Gali, Ëhwati Gali” (which means, “Eternal Word, Eternal Word”). The people responded with cheers and clapping. Another man then read aloud from the Yalë Scripture. Soon people eagerly lined up to claim their copies of the Scriptures and MegaVoice players, which play audio Scriptures.

Praise God for His faithfulness to the Yalë people! We pray that as they read and listen to Scripture, it will transform their hearts, produce lasting fruit and shine God’s light into their community and beyond.

Investing in Eternity: Living a Life of Faith and Generosity

Matthew 24:35 reminds us that all of the things in this world will eventually fade, but God’s Word is eternal: “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear” (NLT). God calls each of us to participate in His global mission, leveraging our lives for His eternal Kingdom.

What if those who came before us hadn’t invested in eternity? Because people obeyed Christ’s call to “… go and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19, NLT), the Good News reached you in a language you could clearly understand. Around the world today, people are still waiting for this same Good News in their language. They don’t yet know that God loves them and wants a relationship with them. That’s why Bible translation is so important — it draws people into a right relationship with God and transforms their lives forever.

Revelation 7:9 shows us a glimpse of a promised future — a day when people from every nation and language group will worship before God’s throne. You can be part of making that vision a reality for people around the world by supporting Bible translation through praying, giving, serving or even getting your church involved.

Our choices reveal our values and influence others. Whether we’re modeling faith for the next generation or inspiring people through generosity, every season of life offers us a chance to invest in God’s Kingdom and live in light of eternity.

Who might you meet in heaven because you said “yes”?

A generous life — through giving, advocacy or love — points others to Jesus and inspires future faith. The Yalë community today has the Word of God in their language, and as individuals and families incorporate the truths of Scripture into their daily lives, they will continue to be transformed. Their actions today will shape generations to come — not only in their own language community but beyond.

Your actions today can create ripple effects that last for years or generations to come. So what legacy will you leave?

Dare to Live Generously

We’re blessed to bless others. Living out biblical generosity isn’t just about money; it encompasses how we devote our time, talents, resources and more to advance God’s Kingdom and the Great Commission globally.

Explore what generosity means for your life in our free 7-day devotional.

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