I love hearing stories about someone changing the course of their entire family tree. Someone whose family has never gone to college, but they do. Someone whose family has never had money to do anything, but they decide that they’re going to provide a better life for themselves and their family. Someone whose family has always struggled with drug-addictions and alcohol, but they stand up and refuse to give into either.
Do you know people like this? I know I do, and their decision changes everything for them, their families, and the generations that will come up long after they are gone. Read this study of two families. One family chose to live for God and the other family did not. The results will shock you!
Two families from the state of New York were studied very closely.
The first family was the Jukes family. Max Jukes was an unbelieving man who married an unbelieving wife. Among their known descendents:
- 310 became professional vagrants
- 440 physically wrecked their lives by debauchery
- 130 were sent to prison for an average of 13 years each (7 for murder)
- Over 100 became alcoholics
- 60 habitual thieves
- 190 public prostitutes
- Of the 20 that learned to trade, 10 learned it in prison
- It cost the state 1,500,000 dollars and they made NO contribution to society
The John Edwards family chose to live for Christ. Here are a list of his descendents:
- 300 became clergymen, missionaries, and theological professors
- 100 became college professors
- 100 became attorneys
- 30 became judges
- 60 physicians
- 60 authors of good classic books
- 14 presidents of universities
- Numerous giants in American industry that emerged from this family
- 3 US congressmen
- 1 Vice President of the United States
Isn’t that amazing? Living for God matters. Choosing to live a life of purpose maters. One person living for God can change the entire course of their family tree. Our decisions matter and they don’t just matter to us. They matter to the generations that will come after us.
Are you already in a great family tree? If so, that’s awesome! Continue the legacy! Set the bar higher! Take the family to another level! Dream bigger!
Are you in a family tree that isn’t so great? If so, make the decision that it ends with you. Make a decision that regardless of how generations before you lived, you’re going to live differently. You’re going to be the first person to do something great with your life. You’re going to be the first to do _____. The first not to _______.
It’s a decision. A decision worth making. A decision that has the potential to change generations to come. Decide that for you and your family, you’re going to live great lives and leave a great family legacy.
Will you live a life that changes everything for everyone?
Thoughts?
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