Generational Blessing in Action
An excerpt from “Legacy: Maximize Your Impact,” Chapter 7: Walking in Generational Blessing by Kirstie Bronner Foley
The Foundation: Recognizing the Fruit of God's House-Building
Growing up, I intuitively sensed that my family was different, but I didn't fully comprehend why until I began studying Scripture and observing other family dynamics. When I encountered promises like "none shall be barren among you" and "sickness shall not be in your midst," I realized that what I had experienced wasn't just good fortune—it was evidence of God's covenant blessing flowing through families who maintain the spiritual foundations He requires.
The Evidence of Distinction
The differences were concrete and measurable—I could see the principles we just discussed in the previous chapter working in practice:
• My parents were virgins when they married, and we children remained virgins until marriage
• We had a healthy two-parent household with abundant laughter, peace, and joy
• Our family was remarkably free from the diseases, addictions, and dysfunction that plagued many families around us
Many of the blessings I received were gifts flowing from previous generations' covenant faithfulness—blessing building upon blessing across time. Truly, I am grateful and humbled by this every day.
Beyond Material Wealth: The Holistic Nature of Blessing
While generational wealth can be part of God's blessing, the distinction I experienced went far deeper than socioeconomics. Generational blessing is spiritual impartation rather than just material advantage.
Health as True Wealth
Growing up, I knew other households that weren't struggling financially but had no peace. There was toxicity between family members, and issues like addiction, violence, and abuse were prevalent. As a child, what I noticed most wasn't how much money our parents had, but the laughter, peace, and joy in our home. That health was wealth to me—far exceeding any material advantage.
A Kingdom View of Resources
A crucial part of our generational blessing was learning to build wealth with purpose—avoiding material idolatry while using resources for kingdom purposes. Money was never exalted in our household. We learned values of tithing and generosity from very young ages, always asking: How much are you saving? How much are you investing? Have you given back to the Lord?
Even though we grew up with affluent parents, they weren't materialistic. My parents would say, "You're going to see where your real values and your treasury are by where your money goes." This lesson has stayed with me into adulthood—a perfect example of intentional transfer across generations.
The Generational Transfer of Values in Action
I could see the direct passing down of values from my grandfather to my father and then to me—intentional transfer of faith, values, and wisdom. When we went out to eat as kids, my father would buy one extra-large drink and put five straws in it for all of us to share! When we complained, he would tell us stories about how his father made him and his five brothers do the same thing.
This excerpt is from guest chapter “Walking in Generational Blessing,” Chapter 7 of Legacy: Maximizing Imapct in this life and the next by Hazen Stevens. To read more about establishing spiritual infrastructure for generational impact, including practical steps for covenant faithfulness and overcoming cultural obstacles, get the full book here.
Discussion Questions:
How do you see generational patterns—both positive and negative—playing out in your own family?
What values are you intentionally transferring to the next generation?
How can you begin building spiritual infrastructure in your home today?