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The Retirement Years
It often happens that an active businessman is cut down without
a moment’s warning, and on examination his business is found to be
in a most perplexing condition. In the effort to settle his estate, the
lawyers’ fees eat up a large share, if not all, of the property, while his
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wife and children and the cause of Christ are robbed. Those who are
faithful stewards of the Lord’s means will know just how their business
stands, and, like wise men, they will be prepared for any emergency.
Should their probation close suddenly, they would not leave such great
perplexity upon those who are called to settle their estate.
Many are not exercised upon the subject of making their wills
while they are in apparent health. But this precaution should be taken
by our brethren. They should know their financial standing, and should
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
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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