“Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing as they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!” (Psalm 39:6, ESV)
In my professional life, I am an estate planning attorney. As a lawyer, I write wills and trusts and help people plan financially for the ultimate crossing of life. I have the easy job. All I have to do is put clients’ wishes into the proper legal form.
The hard parts are the social and family decisions. One thing I have learned over decades of practicing is that family life is getting more and more complex. The increasing fractioning of family leaves many people with difficult decisions of what to do with the material things they will leave behind.
Sometimes, leaving a large inheritance is the worst thing someone can do for someone. That’s why I am a fan of “giving while you are living.” That way you will know who (or what) will benefit from what you have gathered in this life.
Yes, people wander around like shadows; yes, they hustle and bustle. Like the psalmist writes, some might not even know who will get the wealth they've amassed or what they will do with it! It has been said that you can’t take it with you — but you can send it on ahead.
Dear God, thank You that You have given us good things in this life. Help us to seek Your Kingdom first, and surrender everything we have to You. Give us wisdom as we think about our material legacy, and may we make wise decisions that will bring glory to You as we plan for the future. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Ask God for a generous spirit and the eyes to see how you can glorify Him through your giving.