What Will You Pass On to Others?
By Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Pass on a Life Well-lived
“But I want you to remember today that all that lasts is what you pass on. It will not be your financial portfolio. It will not be your possessions. It will not even be those precious family photos. What you will pass on, most importantly, will be a life well-lived, ideally lived for others.”
Share in the Lives of Others
“As a minister of the gospel, be one who shares in the lives of others. As they rejoice, rejoice with them. As they grieve, take time to grieve with them. How valuable that is in ministry. It’s all back to love, isn’t it? Love sings when those around us are singing. Love mourns when those around us are weeping. Love laughs when those around us are cheery and filled with joy. Love stays awake when those around us cannot sleep.”
The Risk of Love
“People don’t show love either because they’re proud or because they’re afraid of the risk. I hope as the minister of the gospel you will leave both aside and let your love flow. Don’t forget to write the words ‘I love you’ to others outside your family. Use the pronoun and when you’re with them, don’t be afraid to say it. Your love will last long after your face is forgotten. Your love will linger forever in another’s life. But it’s a risk.”
Prayer Fuels Ministry
“And I would emphasize the same to all of you. If you have a body of people who hold you up in prayer, you’re a rich individual. Billy Graham used to talk about the one who would get the greater reward, himself or the lady who prayed for him throughout his ministry back home. And he was quick to say the greater reward will go to her. Encourage great commitment to prayer in your ministry. It will outlive you and it will not be forgotten by others.”
Live Your Life on Tiptoe
“This is long-lasting optimism, true zeal about the work of the ministry. I urge you in that. I have a friend who said he learned at the school he attended that he did his best preaching when he preached on tiptoe. You live your life on tiptoe when you live it with zeal and enthusiasm.”
Additional Resources
First, sign up for our Chuck’s Insights on Ministry email where we bring you his best thoughts on preaching, leadership, and ministry each week. By signing up, you’ll instantly receive a one-page checklist with 20 preaching insights from Chuck. See this page’s sidebar.
Second, check out our new Preach The Word articles and video series on YouTube where we’re teaching Chuck’s best insights on this important calling.
Third, listen to Chuck’s messages to those in ministry through our Seminary Chapels page. For decades, he offered students at Dallas Theological Seminary his best thoughts on church leadership and ministry. Now, we have put them at your finger tips. Also, you can find them through this YouTube playlist we created for you.
Fourth, if you don’t own a copy of Chuck’s book on preaching, Saying It Well, we highly recommend you add it to your library. It’s his preaching memoir that is also like a practical preaching manual. You won’t be able to put it down.
About the author
Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Pastor Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. He is the founding pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry.
