Q:
Our children want us to see a lawyer and draw up a will, but we don't see any need for this. We aren't wealthy, and we think they can sort things out once we're gone. After all, Jesus didn't have a will, did He? So why should we bother?
A:
As far as we know, Jesus did not have a will because He didn’t have anything to give away. When He died on the cross, the soldiers who executed Him threw dice to see who would get His clothes — His only possessions. On another occasion, He said, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).
But you do have possessions, even if you aren’t wealthy, and dying without a legal will can only cause problems for your spouse and children. It’s also wise to let your wishes be known concerning other matters, such as who will make medical decisions for you if you become disabled. The Bible urges us to do everything “in a fitting and orderly way,” and I believe this applies to every area of our lives, including this one (1 Corinthians 14:40).
Sometimes our real problem is that we don’t want to face these issues because we don’t want to admit that someday we will die. Could this be true of you? If so, the most important step you will ever take is to face your need of God, and commit your life to Jesus Christ. Because of Him, the Bible says, “we … rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2, NKJV).
Be grateful for the life God has given you, but most of all, be grateful that this life is not all, but ahead of us is heaven.
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Read today’s devotional from Billy Graham:
February 14: The Mystery of His Love