In His Steps
Here "Are you ready to meet the Lord?" I asked the 82 year-old wealthy man whose doctor had informed him his time was very limited.
"I fell like all is well with Jesus," he said. He had been a Methodist until he chose me to be his pastor. We had grown close. It had been a joy to see his faith in Jesus leap in the short time we worshiped together. Now he had been told the end was very near.
"I am not talking about your love for Jesus," I said. "I am talking about is your house in order? Do you have a Will? Have you made arrangements to die? Have you made clear what is to be done with your lands and investments?"
"No," he said. "I do not have a Will. I have not made arrangements. What do you suggest, Pastor?"
I suggested. He agreed. I called a lawyer from his hospital room and ask the attorney to come immediately and do a will. While we waited for the lawyer he asked me what he should do with his estate. I suggested care for his wife and young daughter as a priority, with portions to older children. He listened. The lawyer came. I left out of respect, though he asked me to stay.
He did a Will. Then he got better and lived for a while. But one night it ended while I sat by his bedside and we waited for the doctor. I held his hand while he died.
All the family came for services. The second wife and younger daughter were there. Children and grandchildren from the first marriage. He was carried up a long hill and buried with shovels thudding in the dirt. No machine could get up the hill.
A family member suggested going to have the Will probated. All agreed. They were friendly with each other. I was invited to go with them. We arrived at the county courthouse and the Clerk of Court ushered us into a room. Everyone was still friendly.
The Will was read. The friendliness oozed out of the room. Most did not get what they wanted. They left through two different doors, and to my knowledge certain members of the family have not spoken with each other to this day.
That day I was OK. Time passed. I saw the inheritance of a good and honest God-fearing man be thrown to the winds. Wasted. Persons who should have lived in plenty came to poverty...dependence on others.
The Lord got nothing. He had served the Lord most of his life. The had been faithful to church. Yet, in his Will he left nothing to Jesus. Nothing for children's ministries. Nothing to feed the hungry. Nothing for missionaries.
I have regretted that day in the hospital with him when I had influence to counsel. He would have listened. A huge difference in the work of the Lord could have been made with just tithe of the estate. A generational difference could have been made in training missionaries, feeding the hungry, or sending an apt young person to Bible college.
My false pride prevented me from speaking of the Lord's work. It would not have been for me if he had left to the Lord's work. Why was I afraid to speak in behalf of the Lord's work? Why did I hold back counsel that I knew? I have ever regretted that failure.
Next week we will emphasize the Great Commission to share Christ with the world. From Wednesday to Sunday we will have special services. We will host missionaries, listen to their stories, encourage them and be encouraged, pray for them, and care about their plans for reaching the lost and making disciples.
We will think make decisions and pledge ourselves to partner with them in the coming year. We will send where we can not go. We will make possible for others to go and tell the Good News that Jesus Saves.
I ask you: "Is your house in order? Have you made preparation to meet Jesus? What will be done with what you leave this earth? Have you made a Will? Have you made arrangements for tithes and offerings from your estate to bless the work of the Lord when you are gone?"
Should you take care of your family? Absolutely. God's Church is also family. Along with responsible arrangements for those in your household, be responsible for your Christian family.
Putting aside pride. Think. You will be gone. Gone. No more control over earthly possessions. You will be reporting in to the Eternal Judge. In context what is the content that you want to offer as your life work and offering to the Lord?
If you follow In His Steps you will have your cross. Note Jesus made arrangements for his mother, Mary. Jesus was Joseph's eldest son and responsible. Jesus while dying asked John to take Mary and care for her. Earthly house set in order. He turned his heart to the Father and fulfilled the mission for which He was born.
There is no vanity greater than to live selfishly and die with the foolish notion that wealth left to others will cause them to remember you with great love. Solomon observed the foolishness of storing up riches and leaving them for others to play.
Wise men and women store up treasures in heaven. No moths. No rust. No corruption. No thieves. Riches left on earth to be squandered pay no dividends. Riches left to be invested in the Lord's work pay eternal dividends. Riches wasted speak to foolishness. Riches invested for Christ speak eternally through lives changed by the power of the gospel.
Do you have a Will? If not, do a Will. Include God in your Will.
Have you sold and made profit? Did you tithe? Did you add to your tithes a love offering for God's goodness in your life? Are you investing in souls/people that will pay dividends eternally?
A bicycle for a $100. Feeding a child $15 per month. Supporting a missionary $40 per month. Bibles $2 each. A roof over people worshiping in desert heat $1,000. A well for fresh and clean water $1,000. You can change the culture of a whole village for so little. You can change a life for so little. You can give your shoes and clothes to help homeless and other persons locally. You can volunteer to carry food to the hungry. Be a mentor to children who have no father or mother.
In His Steps you will find great joy in serving. In His Steps you will sacrifice and call it joy. You will lay down to rest at night with a heart full of memories. Heaven will smile on you. Angels will watch over you. Blessings will fill your days. Peace will meet you at the end of the road. Hope will welcome you home.
You might think of a Mission Conference as an Investment Seminar. You have opportunity to invest with the highest rate of return, greatest joy and eternal benefits, with God as Your Partner.
Much love
Pastor Bare