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Who
Will Spend Your Money? There is a popular bumper sticker which reads: "We're spending our children's inheritance." It is usually seen on the back of an RV driven by silver-haired seniors, and it always brings a smile to my face. Scripture is chock full of parables about money and assets. Indeed, there are more wealth related parables than almost any other sort. Recall the one about the fellow who had such great bumper crops he had to build new barns in which to store them. Jesus said he was a fool because he trusted in wealth and hoarded it, but all was lost because "that very night his life was required of him." His stockpiled bounty could not save him, after all. Okay, the obvious meaning of this parable is we need to trust the Lord rather than riches or any other worldly "security," but is there something here about leaving an inheritance, too? I think there is and I think it all relates back to the concept of stewardship. Some time back I wrote two wills for vastly different clients. Both men left nothing to their children, so stating specifically in their respective codicils. One man was a believer fully aware that all he "owned" really belonged to God; the other was an embittered and lonely old man who felt his children didn't love him any more. The first man told me his children led irresponsible lives and did not know Christ. "The good Lord blessed me with wealth for a reason," he said "And I have tried to fulfill His purpose with all He entrusted to my care. It is far wiser for me to leave this wealth to the church than to my children who will waste it on frivolity in no time." The other man took bitter glee in imagining how his children would feel as his will was read and they discovered he had left nothing for them. "It's the best way to get even with them for all their neglect," he gloated. In truth, I believe both men erred. The first man ought to have left at least a token gift to his children and grandchildren so they did not feel completely "cut off," whereas the folly of the second man is readily evident and his bitterness has now been passed on to the next generation. Whether your estate is large or almost nonexistent, it is wise to share your plans with family. The "reading of the will" is not a good time for surprises, good or bad. Another bit of advice: Don't put off writing your will!
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Resources Author: Iona Hoeppner |
