Your Last Will and Testatment
Most evangelical Christians have learned the joy of giving as part of their walk with the Lord and want to make sure that their Last Will and Testament includes bequests for the work and witness of our Lord and Savior.
Why each of us needs a will
As Christians, we know that everything we "own" really belongs to God and that we have an obligation to exercise wise stewardship over our possessions. "Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful." (I Corinthians 4:2) This includes providing for our families and for the Lord's work. It also includes providing a clear plan for discharging these responsibilities after we have gone to be with Him.
A Christian will is more than our last "testament." It is also our final "testimony." It is an opportunity to testify to the Lordship of Christ after we are gone. And it can be our crowning act of stewardship, just as the day of our physical death is our coronation day.
The fact remains, your property and money will be distributed upon your physical death. If you don’t have a will, your state government will do it for you. The state will decide who should receive your property in accordance with your state’s law. The heirs the state chooses might not be the ones you would have preferred. Also, the cost of settling your estate (probate) will be higher. The person who settles your estate will be appointed by the probate court, possibly even a stranger. His or her fee must be paid before any part of the estate is distributed to your heirs.
Certainly, nothing will be set apart for the kingdom of God without your direction. If you want a portion of your assets to go to the Lord’s work, then you should make sure that what you bequeath for His use goes to ministries that are truly evangelical, Bible believing, soul winning works of God that are trustworthy and accountable. A will is your vehicle to insure that your bequest is used for the Christian ministry of your choice.
To include Christian Aid in your will, you may stipulate as follows:
"I give, bequeath and devise to Christian Aid Mission, a non-profit, tax-exempt religious organization with headquarters in Charlottesville, Virginia, the following: ___________________________________________________."
You should make sure that ANY document you intend to be your will covers all the issues of importance to you and that it will be considered valid and effective in the state where you reside. Therefore it is important to consult an attorney.