In recent days, we have returned to a discussion which we have visited several times. It is a topic which comes to his mind and one I seek to avoid ….
We need to draw up a will.
We have not accumulated much but we have worked hard to get what has been obtained and desire our children to benefit. We still have not called a lawyer as we have no idea how one decides about such matters.
Our love for our children, and wanting to do what is best for each of them, weighs heavily on our hearts. Conversation is had between us and once again, we fall asleep with no hard fast decision other than – we need to contact an attorney.
Solomon struggled with much the same problem although, he being an abundantly wealthy man, had much to decide upon. I read his thoughts on this very topic – “I work hard. I leave everything I have earned to those who have not worked for it. How do I know if they will be wise with it, appreciating what is given to them or foolish, wasting it all away?” (my interpretation of Ecclesiastes 2:18-19).
Solomon provoked me to think further on this as he is the one who asked God for wisdom. Believe it or not, my thoughts became a bit murkier before they began to gain clarity.
Maybe it isn’t so much about what is left behind in a written will. Perhaps there is even a greater wealth we leave behind.
And perhaps it isn’t possessions or wealth. Can it be more about treasure?
“Treasure” >>> “any thing or person greatly valued or highly prized; to retain carefully or keep in store” (from dictionary.com)
We work hard to provide for our children the best we can. We want to leave them something which will make life easier or more enjoyable. All very noble indeed. Yet there is nothing which I can leave to them that can guarantee either ease or enjoyment. I cannot even be certain anything we leave them, in the form of monetary gain, will be lasting.
And so here’s the deal this morning …. We continue to do exactly what we are doing. We pray, we stay in God’s Word, applying His truth to our own lives. We actively and consistently and persistently pursue God’s ways so that our lives become living examples our children will remember and desire for themselves, even if it is after we are gone.
And then we leave the rest to Him and trust God to do what only He can do – bring our children to Him, grow them into wise adults, and keep them following His ways.
The treasure we leave them is God Himself. He alone is to be highly esteemed and desired. He alone is who they will hold onto. It is His very word we hope they will store up in their hearts and mind.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21, NIV)
May He be treasured above all else.
May Jesus be the legacy we leave them.
Today I am joining … #SmallWonder and Inspire Me Monday and Playdates With God and Create With Joy and Making Your Home Sing .
We are at a similar station in life and recently attended a seminar. We are praying for wisdom. I agree with you–the greatest treasure is knowing God and walking in relationship with him. This must be central in our prayers.
I’m your neighbor at Inspire Me Monday.
As we continue to pray, God will bring us both wisdom in these decisions. Thank you for sharing here!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Wills, Treasures and Legacy…we are at that point in our lives, too – both retired; not that many possessions; and married children…
Recently when we had to start going through things we owned and get them out of a house that was moldy and falling apart…it gave me the perfect opportunity to keep what I wanted; but more important, to give my kids the things they wanted.
But, leaving the greatest treasure! Yes, that is certainly the MOST IMPORTANT!! Thank you for opening my eyes to this GREATEST TREASURE!!
How wonderful to give the kids what they would have wanted while you are yet with them! A double blessing!
Joanne,
2 things:
1. Your post resonates deeply with me and pairs nicely with a Scripture that has been on my heart lately —
By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures. (Prov 24:3-4)
2. When we decided to work with a financial planner, the first thing he asked us was if we had a will. We left the first meeting with that as our homework assignment. — We used Legal Zoom. You can do it online in less the 20 minutes, and if you pay a little extra I think you can make changes in the future for free (if I am remembering correctly.) — You will need to get it notarized in front of a couple of witnesses. We did it at our planner’s office, but I think my best friend did it at her bank. — We made sure to give copies to a couple of people on both sides of the family, including the executor.
Love the verse you shared, Lyli, especially in this context. Thank you for the suggestion as well. Going to check it out. You bless continually!
One foot in the grave, and I realize that none of this matters, because I’ve also got a foot in heaven’s door.
My stuff will get distributed to those who need it. I hope.
The good, the things i treasure…God will save their essence, and I’ll have them in heaven, evergreen, forever.
To SHARE! š
And I am here from Inspire Me Monday.
May your things bless in ways you could not have anticipated!
Amen! We won’t have a material legacy to leave our children (but we have had our wills drawn up, just to make their lives easier!), but hopefully our legacy resides in their own relationships with God.
Anita, it is amazing how we gain perspective on true & lasting legacy. Blessings!
I draw so much comfort in this! “The treasure we leave them is God Himself.” That treasure can’t be ruined or altered or burned away. But it’s still nice to have a will for earthly things. š Glad you’re on that.
Lisa, it is amazing to think about our legacy which is lasting. And yes, it is wise to have a will for those earthly things š
i think we are in a similar position as you. not a lot of money, but what we have, we want to make last. the thing about having a will is that in some states, it save them from having to pay some taxes. it can sometimes save hard feelings if everything is clear about who gets what. the lawyer can often bring up issues that if discussed now, can save problems after you are gone and aren’t here to make clear for them.
but it is so true, the really important things we leave behind for our children don’t have to do with money. sometimes, in thinking thro’ our will and our legacy, it helps us stop and consider where we have had blind spots. blessings:)
Martha, you have shared wise reasons for a will all of which we hope our will can accomplish. And it is so true that in thinking through these matters, we become aware of blind spots or issues we may not have seen before. Grateful you stopped to share!
My mother was a firm believer in wills as it makes things easier legally for those left behind. She would offer to pay for us to have one done once all of got married. I have a friend too who has written a letter to be given to each of his kids once they die too. Part of the letter is what you might think it would include, things about loving and carrying on as a family but they also included some wishes of where they would like any money to go. Now the family doesn’t have to honor that but knowing them I think they will. Lots to pray about…
Jean, how beautiful to leave a letter for each family member. I would imagine they would be words cherished forever. There is much to pray about regarding the legacy we desire to leave. I know I want to honor God with my days & also in my passing. Blessings to you!