A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, and the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. Proverbs 13:22
I am an estate planning lawyer and I write wills for a living. The purpose of a will is to create a legal document that provides for the distribution of your assets to your designated beneficiaries after you die, and we all will.
My clients focus on the valuable, the visible and the prized. I have seen families deteriorate over the distribution of assets. It’s all about the money and often it is squandered shortly after receipt.
Think about it. How many people will even know that you existed three generations after your death, even your lineal descendants?
One of the best things we can do is to leave a legacy rather than a lot of money to those who outlive and follow us. Give what you have to worthy charities which will enhance the lives of others and explain to your descendants why you did. Maybe the lessons learned will enhance their lives more than the money would.
I was doing some family research to find where I came from and how went before me. I discovered a several times great grandfather and in the public records, I found his will and it recited that he had few things of this world to leave to anyone, the one thing he did have was his faith in Jesus Christ, which he left to those who would follow him. That’s my inheritance and my family!
A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold. (Proverbs 22:1). That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children (c).
In our wills, we have a statement of faith that spells out the Gospel. When we die, those wills will be deposited in the public records and will be a public record forever. Maybe generations from now, those who follow us can pull up our wills on the Internet and realize what their forebearers believed about Jesus and maybe their lives will be changed for the good and that’s much better than inheriting silver and gold.
Someone should always know what Christ has done in your life. Your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, or friends should know your story and how God led you, blessed you and used you. You should leave a testimony behind.
Perhaps your greatest ministry will occur after you are dead. We’ll leave behind all the work we have done, the tasks we have completed, the words we have said and written, the people we’ve touched, the causes we’ve supported, the lives we’ve changed, the children we’ve raised, the church we’ve sustained, the missionaries we’ve sent into the fields and the funds we’ve invested in the Kingdom. It all has a ripple effect until Christ returns.
The Almighty has a unique plan for each of us that involves leaving a legacy with an echo chamber that will reverberate until Christ returns. Don’t underestimate how the next stage of your life will influence generations yet unborn. Find a way to preserve a testimony which can be monumental.
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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES
JESUS:
1. Jesus shows up at the most unexpected times and places.
2. Jesus came to bring heaven to earth.
3. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.
4. Jesus came from the unloved (Matthew)
5. Jesus came from the unloved, for the unlovable
6. Jesus came in a stable for the unstable
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God does not hide Himself in times of trouble. He grieves as we grieve (cf. John 11:35) and walks with us through the “waters,” “rivers,” and “fire” of our broken world (Isaiah 43:2). Because “the Lᴏʀᴅ is near to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18), you and I can claim the fact that “the Lᴏʀᴅ is near to all who call on him” (Psalm 145:18). Jim Denison
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In John Mason’s fine little book, Conquering An Enemy Called Average, he suggests 34 things you really need to have and none of them are material. Here are 13.
▪ Do you have enough of what really matters?
▪ Have faith enough to please God.
▪ Have gratitude enough to say “thank you” for the small things.
▪ Have strength enough to battle obstacles and overcome them.
▪ Have peace enough to pass all understanding.
▪ Have honesty enough to never have to remember what you said.
▪ Have character enough to do in the light what you would do in the dark.
▪ Have wisdom enough to fear God and obey Him.
▪ Have mercy enough to forgive and forget.
▪ Have compassion enough to be moved by the needs of others.
▪ Have direction enough to know when and where you want to go.
▪ Have generosity enough to give before being asked.
▪ Have trust enough to know God will direct your steps.
▪ Have perseverance enough to run the entire race that is set out before you.
May you have enough of those things that really matter in life.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
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QUOTES YOU CAN USE
There’s a difference between what God supports and what He reports. Andrew Evans
When you consider things like the stars, our affairs don’t seem to matter very much, do they? VIRGINIA WOOLF
What is concealed in the Old Testament is revealed in the New Testament and what is contained in the Old Testament is explained in the Old Testament. Pastor Rob Taylor
If someone discovers something rather than being told, they remember it much longer. Cary Gaylord.
I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than in attempting to satisfy them. JOHN STUART MILL
Wisdom outweighs any wealth. SOPHOCLES
You Do Not Need to Be Extraordinary to Be Happy. From my own experience, I can tell you that the pursuit of an extraordinary life is tiring. And unfortunately, it does not guarantee a life of happiness at the end of it. Tavian Jean-Pierre
Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
The gifts we have been given are not for our own glory, but for God’s. Dan Shock
Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous. ALBERT EINSTEIN