遺傳、遺產、繼承和傳承──HEREDITY, HERITAGE, INHERITANCE AND LEGACY
For English version, please refer to the latter part of this page
不久前，我與另一個城市的CBMC分會成員進行一場極精彩的討論。我曾經寫過一篇週一嗎哪專題，關於延續傳承的重要性，他們對這四個看似相似的詞語之間的區別感到好奇：遺傳（Heredity）、遺產（Heritage）、繼承（Inheritance）和傳承（Legacy）。
這四個詞語之間，確實存在一些相似之處，但它們在本質上都非常不同。其中兩個是我們幾乎無法控制。另一個則取決於我們富裕的程度，就可以相當程度上來決定。只有一個，主要是基於我們在生命中所做出的決策，和所建立的人際關係而樹立的。
遺傳（Heredity）描述了基因遺傳的特徵，例如皮膚和頭髮顏色、身高、種族特徵以及其他身體、心智和家族特徵。遺產（Heritage）通常涉及到社會或人群的文化、傳統、歷史和語言等方面。而繼承（Inheritance）則指的是在某人去世後，能夠傳給個人的東西，通常是金錢或物質財產。
而傳承（Legacy）是四個中唯一的，無論社會地位或財富水平如何，我們都能以顯著的方式予以塑造。它包括在我們離世後，對生命有持久的影響。傳承（Legacy）透過價值、品格和信仰，轉化個人、組織，甚至整個社會。
對於大部分時間都在職場中的人，我們有機會以各種方式發揮領導力。無論我們在一家公司中擔任什麼角色，是擔任最高執行者還是向一個或多個人匯報，我們都可以建立傳承。因為無論領導者是誰、他們做了什麼，真正的考驗在於他們離開後留下了什麼。
我記得多年前，一位領導者在演講中介紹了他以前的組織是如何建構的。在公司的組織圖上，一切都圍繞著他而建立。在他離開不久之後，這家企業就像紙牌屋一樣垮掉了。就領導力而言，他的「傳承」是失敗的。
這與在中國擔任傳教醫生超過24年的鍾仁溥（Nelson Bell，又稱鍾愛華）形成鮮明對比，他敬虔的女兒鍾路得(Ruth)與一位名叫比利．葛理翰(Billy Graham)的年輕人結婚。他們一起育有幾個子女，這些子女今天仍然繼續做著基督的事工。經由路得的幫助，葛理翰牧師透過他的佈道和著作，為著耶穌基督觸摸了數百萬人的生命。鍾仁溥醫生有多麼偉大的傳承啊 !
建立在強大的根基上。我們身邊的世界，建議我們可以在生命中建立許多不同類別的根基，但是其實只有一個根基會永恆的存在。「因為那已經立好的根基就是耶穌基督，此外沒有人能立別的根基。」(哥林多前書3章11節)
為基督的使命，全然獻上自己。正如一位詩人所寫：「僅此一生，轉眼就過去；為主所作，永遠長存。」「我們生活、動作、存留，都在乎他。就如你們作詩的，有人說：『我們也是他所生的。』」(使徒行傳17章28節)
投資於人。我們可以用許多方式積極地影響人們，但其中最持久的方式是透過培養和教導門徒。「你在許多見證人面前聽見我所教訓的，也要交託那忠心能教導別人的人。」(提摩太後書2章2節)
© 2023. Robert J. Tamasy 是企業巔峰: 給今日職場從箴言而來永恆的智慧 一書的作者。也與導師之的作者David A. Stoddard 合著Tufting Legacies。編輯多本著作包括Mike Landry. Bob的書: 透過苦難成長。Mike Landry. Bob的網站為www.bobtamasy-readywriterink.com
挑戰思考
正如我們所討論的，我們的遺傳基因已經為我們預先設定，我們個人的遺產在我們的生命早期就已經確立，而繼承在未來可能存在，也可能不存在。但我們將來會留下來的傳承，在我們的家庭和工作場所-取決於我們自己。一個正面、持久的傳承不是獨自建立的-我們需要來自我們信任的人的幫助和支持。
哪些人能明確幫助你想要留下的傳承型式，以及如何成功建立它呢？你現在可以採取哪些步驟開始著手呢？
備註：如果你有聖經，想閱讀更多相關的經文，請參考:(因篇幅有限，請參閱未列出的經文:以賽亞書43:4、歌羅西書3:23-24)
詩篇18篇31節
18:31除了耶和華，誰是神呢？除了我們的神，誰是磐石呢？
馬太福音28章19-20節
28:19所以，你們要去，使萬民作我的門徒，奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗（或作：給他們施洗，歸於父、子、聖靈的名）。
28:20凡我所吩咐你們的，都教訓他們遵守，我就常與你們同在，直到世界的末了。」
路加福音6章46-49節
6:46「你們為什麼稱呼我『主啊，主啊，』卻不遵我的話行呢？
6:47凡到我這裡來，聽見我的話就去行的，我要告訴你們他像什麼人：
6:48他像一個人蓋房子，深深的挖地，把根基安在磐石上；到發大水的時候，水沖那房子，房子總不能搖動，因為根基立在磐石上（有古卷：因為蓋造得好）。
6:49惟有聽見不去行的，就像一個人在土地上蓋房子，沒有根基；水一沖，隨即倒塌了，並且那房子壞的很大。」
反省與問題討論
- 如果你要重新描述遺傳、遺產、繼承和傳承之間的區別，你會如何區分它們？
- 在你生命的現階段，遺傳、遺產、繼承或傳承中哪一個對你產生了最大的影響？請解釋你的答案。
- 你是否同意在這四個當中，傳承是我們從一個世代到另一個世代最能掌握的呢？請解釋你的答案。
- 你會如何描述你所依據的根基，不論是你生命中的工作，或個人的追求，和對你最重要的事務上。
HEREDITY, HERITAGE, INHERITANCE AND LEGACY
By Robert J. Tamasy
Some time ago I engaged in a fascinating discussion with members of a CBMC group in another city. I had written an edition of Monday Manna about the importance of leaving a legacy, and they were curious to know the distinction between four seemingly similar terms: Heredity, heritage, inheritance, and legacy.
There is some similarity between these four terms, but they are all very different. Two of them we have virtually no control over. One we may be able to determine in a substantial way depending on how prosperous we have been. Only one can be established largely based on the decisions we make and relationships we establish during our lives.
Heredity describes traits passed on genetically, such things as skin and hair color, stature, ethnic characteristics, and other physical, mental, and familial characteristics. Heritage tends to concern the culture, traditions, history and language of a society or group of people. Inheritance is something passed down to individuals after someone’s death, typically money or material possessions.
A legacy is the only one of the four we can shape in a significant manner regardless of social status or level of affluence. It consists of the lasting impact of our lives that remains long after we are gone. A legacy can transform individuals, organizations, even society through values, character, and faith.
As people who spend much of our time in the marketplace, we have opportunities to exert leadership in one way or another. Regardless of our role in a company, whether we hold the highest executive role or report to one or more individuals, we can build a legacy. Because the true test of leaders, whoever they are and whatever they do, is what remains after they are gone.
I recall a presentation made by a leader years ago as he explained how his previous organization was constructed. On the company’s organizational chart, everything was built around him. Not long after he left, the business fell apart like a house of cards. His “legacy,” in terms of leadership, was failure.
Contrast that with Nelson Bell, who served as a missionary doctor in China for more than 24 years. His godly daughter, Ruth, married a young man named Billy Graham. Together they had several children who today remain in Christian ministry and, through Ruth’s support, the Rev. Graham touched millions of lives for Jesus Christ through his evangelistic crusades and books. What a legacy Dr. Bell left behind!
Build on a strong foundation. The world around us suggests we can build our lives on many different kinds of foundations, but there is only one foundation that will last for eternity. “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).
Devote yourself 100% to Christ’s purposes. As one poet wrote, “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.” “For in [Jesus Christ] we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
Invest in people. We can positively influence people in many ways, but the most lasting of all are through making disciples and mentoring. “And the things you have heard me [Paul] say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).
© 2023. Robert J. Tamasy has written Marketplace Ambassadors: CBMC’s Continuing Legacy of Evangelism and Discipleship; Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace; Pursuing Life With a Shepherd’s Heart, coauthored with Ken Johnson; andThe Heart of Mentoring, coauthored with David A. Stoddard. Bob’s biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
- If you were to restate the differences between heredity, heritage, inheritance, and legacy, who would you distinguish them from one another?
- At this stage of your life, what has had the greatest impact on you – heredity, heritage, inheritance, or legacy? Explain your answer.
- Do you agree that of the four, legacy is the one thing that can be passed on from one generation to another that we have the most control over? Why or why not?
- How would you describe the foundation for your life, not only at work but also in your personal pursuits and the things you value most?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Psalm 18:31; Isaiah 43:4; Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 6:46-49; Colossians 3:23-24
Challenge
As we have discussed, our heredity was pre-determined for us, our personal heritage was well-established early in our lives, and an inheritance may or may not be in our future. But the nature of the legacy we one day will leave behind – in our homes and where we work – is up to us. A positive, enduring legacy is not established in isolation – we need help and support from people we trust.
Who do you know that can help you in defining the kind of legacy you would like to leave, and how you can succeed in building it? What steps can you take now to get started?
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