More than 45,000 questionnaires returned in a survey made by Teachers College of Columbia University concerning wills, reveal the amazing fact that nearly one half of the adult population has made no will of any kind. If one goes further and eliminates those wills improperly drawn up and thrown out by the courts, the percentage of those who have foresight to provide for their loved ones is considerably lower.
No one likes to think of death, of course, but when the small amount of time and effort required in the making of a will is weighed against the agonizing burdens and frictions imposed upon a grieving family forced to settle an estate without a will, the comparison becomes quite one-sided.
What surprised the researchers of Columbia University even more was the percentage of professional people who neglected to provide a will. The most negligent single group were pharmacists, two thirds of whom have made no will. Journalists and teachers ran close seconds with approximately half of each profession reporting no will. One out of four lawyers and clergymen (who are expected to set a shining example) had put off drawing up a will. The figures in the study showed the percentage remaining constant in all age groups. Even the number of dependents seemed to have no effect.
Much of this negligence on the part of the public is probably caused by ignorance of the law. Many people apparently do not realize that States have differing laws regulating the line of inheritance. The remark: "My family knows what to do if anything happens to me" means nothing to the law.
The making of a will or trust agreement to be executed after death demands serious attention. The minister of the gospel would do well to acquaint himself with sufficient understanding of the inheritance regulations in his specific community and then share this counsel with the church members under his care. Most conferences have association workers and legal counselors who will be happy to help our people make wills, trust agreements, and annuities that will fulfill the test of the law.
The Lord has singularly blessed many of His children with much of this world's goods. They have been faithful stewards and administrators of that which has been entrusted to them. Surely, then, they will want to give most prayerful consideration and careful planning to the final disposal of their property and means.
What is the minister's responsibility in this matter of wills and legacies? Ellen G. White in Counsels on Stewardship, pages 323 to 328 observes:
There are aged ones among us who are nearing the close of their probation; but for the want of wide-awake men to secure to the cause of God the means in their possession, it passes into the hands of those who are serving Satan. This means was only lent them of God to be returned to Him; but in nine cases out of ten, these brethren, when passing from the stage of action, appropriate God's property in a way that cannot glorify Him, for not one dollar of it will ever flow into the Lord's treasury. . . .
Some wills are made in so loose a manner that they will not stand the test of the law, and thus thousands of dollars have been lost to the cause. Our brethren should feel that a responsibility rests upon them, as faithful servants in the cause of God, to exercise their intellect in regard to this matter, and secure to the Lord His own.
Many manifest a needless delicacy on this point. They feel that they are stepping upon forbidden ground when they introduce the subject of property to the aged or to invalids in order to learn what disposition they design to make of it. But this duty is just as sacred as the duty to preach the word to save souls. . . .
The servants of God should be making their wills every day, in good works and liberal offerings to God. . . .
Their best friend is Jesus. He did not withhold His own life from them, but for their sakes became poor, that through His poverty they might be made rich. He deserves the whole heart, the property, all that they have and are. But many professed Christians put off the claims of Jesus in life, and insult Him by giving Him a mere pittance at death. . . .
Wills should be made in a manner to stand the test of law. After they are drawn, they may remain for years, and do no harm, if donations continue to be made from time to time as the cause has need. Death will not come one day sooner, brethren, because you have made your will. In disposing of your property by will to your relatives, be sure that you do not forget God's cause. You are His agents, holding His property; and His claims should have your first consideration. Your wife and children, of course, should not be left destitute; provision should be made for them if they are needy. But do not, simply because it is customary, bring into your will a long line of relatives who are not needy. . . .
Let the idea be ever present that it is the Lord's property which you are handling.
