Wills and Legacies
439
not allow their business to become entangled. They should arrange
their property in such a manner that they may leave it at any time.
Wills should be made in a manner to stand the test of law. After
they are drawn they may remain for years and do no harm, if donations
continue to be made from time to time as the cause has need. Death
will not come one day sooner, brethren, because you have made your
will. In disposing of your property by will to your relatives, be sure
that you do not forget God’s cause. You are His agents, holding His
property; and His claims should have your first consideration. Your
wife and children, of course, should not be left destitute; provision
should be made for them if they are needy. But do not, simply because
it is customary, bring into your will a long line of relatives who are not
needy.
Let it ever be kept in mind that the present selfish system of dispos-
ing of property is not God’s plan, but man’s device. Christians should
be reformers and break up this present system, giving an entirely new
[483]
aspect to the formation of wills. Let the idea be ever present that it
is the Lord’s property which you are handling. The will of God in
this matter is law. If man had made you the executor of his property,
would you not closely study the will of the testator, that the smallest
amount might not be misapplied? Your heavenly Friend has entrusted
you with property, and given you His will as to how it should be used.
If this will is studied with an unselfish heart, that which belongs to
God will not be misapplied. The Lord’s cause has been shamefully
neglected, when He has provided men with sufficient means to meet
every emergency, if they only had grateful, obedient hearts.
Those who make their wills should not feel that when this is done
they have no further duty; but they should be constantly at work, using
the talents entrusted to them, for the upbuilding of the Lord’s cause.
God has devised plans that all may work intelligently in the distribution
of their means. He does not propose to sustain His work by miracles.
He has a few faithful stewards, who are economizing and using their
means to advance His cause. Instead of self-denial and benevolence
being an exception, they should be the rule. The growing necessities
of the cause of God require means. Calls are constantly coming in
from men in our own and foreign countries for messengers to come
to them with light and truth. This will necessitate more laborers and
more means to support them.