What happens to my soul after I die? That’s a vital question for every person to ask. Everyone who believes the Bible, has trusted Jesus as Savior, and confessed Him as Lord knows the answer to that question. For us, the greatest desire is that others would ask the same question and, in doing so, recognize their need for Jesus and be saved.
What happens to my stuff after I die? That’s another vital question for every person to ask. Everyone who believes the Bible, has trusted Jesus as Savior, and confessed Him as Lord knows that we are stewards rather than owners of “our” stuff. What we “have” is only what God has entrusted to us. The Bible instructs us to tithe as a means of acknowledging we love and serve God rather than stuff.
Have you considered making a provision in your will to tithe your estate? Why should you? Here are a few reasons, among many.
First, by tithing our estates, we can acknowledge we love and serve God even in death. Our will can be a great opportunity for us to communicate to the Lord our devotion to Him never wavered, and our desire to be good stewards of what He entrusted to us was never in question.
Second, by tithing our estates, we can provide for souls to be saved even after our testimonies fall silent. Church evangelism and outreach programs, associational ministries and mission work, and the cooperative mission work and ministries of Kentucky and Southern Baptists all require financial resources. An estate tithe can be a significant way to provide for these ministries that share the gospel with lost and hurting people.
Third, by tithing our estates, we can leave a legacy of stewardship for our families and the world. The best way to teach my children and, someday, my grandchildren biblical stewardship is to model it. I’m confident they will be paying close attention to the contents of the wills belonging to Michelle and me on the day those wills are executed. What a great opportunity to disciple them!
Fourth, by tithing our estates, we can display our love for the Lord’s church. I love the church. I love it because I love Jesus and, since the church is His body, failing to love the church is failing to love Him. I love the church because the church loved me, introduced me to my Savior, helped raise me, and has helped me raise my children. The church has taught me eternal truths, encouraged me when I was ailing, comforted me when I was grieving, and given me countless opportunities to do the same for others. If I can bless the church in my death and help ensure her ongoing ministry until Jesus comes for her, I don’t want to miss that opportunity.
If you would like more information on how to leave money to your church or Baptist mission work, contact Richard Carnes at the Kentucky Baptist Foundation by EMAIL or by phone at (866) 489-3533. The ministry of the Kentucky Baptist Foundation for you or your church comes at no cost since Kentucky Baptists’ Cooperative Program gifts help provide for it.
