Tag / Giving Back

by In Light Of The Cross

Not Making a Will Won’t Make You Live Any Longer

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People have told me, if it came down to it, they would be afraid to die for Jesus. But you know what? They are going to die anyway, so we might was well be willing to die for Jesus, at least that way he have the hope of eternal life after dying. After all, either way we still die. 

At the same time some people don’t want to make a will because they don’t want to think about dying, but you know what? They are going to die anyway. And not making a will won’t make you live any longer. What making a will will do for you though, is making sure your assets go where you want. 

If you wish your local Adventist conference can assist you in making a legal will. This is a service local Adventist conferences do for their members, and while you can, you don’t have to leave anything to the church for them to perform this service. However I am all for leaving a legacy when I die. I hope when I die people will still read my blog posts, and remember my sermons and kind words. To me leaving such a legacy is just being a good steward of my life. Just like I want my writings and sermons to live well beyond me, I also want my resources to keep working for Jesus well beyond my days. 

When I was a child my mother would tell me all kinds of interesting stories about her life before I was born. Now that she is resting in Jesus, I am living my life making sure I will have all kinds of interesting stories to share with her after she awakes in the resurrection. If I fall asleep before Jesus comes I know I will love to hear in heaven all the wonderful stories about how my money kept working for Jesus while I was sleeping. Possibly you feel the same. If you would like your local Adventist conference to help you make your will, with or without giving anything to the conference, let me help you get started by sharing a link. Again, not making a will won’t make you live any longer. Making a will makes sure your money goes where you want it to. When you are ready just click on this link to find a local Adventist estate planning representative. The sooner you get this taken care of the sooner you can just go back to enjoying the rest of your life, with peace of mind. 

by In Light Of The Cross

10: Giving Back-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class, March 11, 2023.

Main Theme: In this week’s lesson we look at how to manage money wisely in our golden years.

Read in Class: Luke 12:16-21. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What’s the relevant message to us here? What strong rebuke did the Lord give to the foolish man, and what should that say to us regarding our attitude toward what we own?

Apply: At any age and with any amount of money, how can we avoid falling into the trap that the man did here? Ask yourself, “What am I living for?”

Share: Your friend says he has worked hard all his life saving up money so he can enjoy his hard earned money when he retires. He asks why he should be expected to share it with the church or anyone since after all, he worked so hard for it.

Read in Class: Proverbs 23:23-27, Proverbs 30:8 and 1 Timothy 6:17. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study:  How would you interpret “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks” (NKJV) for Christians living today?

Apply: “For riches are not forever” (Prov. 27:24, NKJV). Why is it important to keep this thought before us?

Share: A friend asks, “What plans have you made for God and family if you died suddenly? What would happen to your property? Would it go where you wanted it to?” How would you respond to your friend?

Read in Class: Psalm 24:1, Hebrews 3:4, Psalm 50:10, Genesis 14:19 and Colossians 1:15-17. Define the common thread in these passages.

Study: How should these passages help us know what to do with all God has given us?

Apply: How do you balance what you spend your money on that shows you are faithful in managing God’s money? In what ways could your spending be better?

Share: Your friend says it seems many people use money to manipulate others instead of blessing others. What do you say to your friend?

Read in Class: Ecclesiastes 2:18-22. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: What does this passage tell us about human life?

Apply: Death, as we know, can come at any time, and unexpectedly, too, even today. What would happen to your loved ones were you to die today? What, too, would happen to your property? Would it be distributed as you would like?

Share: Besides money, what do you want to share with others before you die? What plans are you making to share this week with friends?