A Christian will
First, let us define a will. A will is a legally prepared plan for the final distribution of all that God has entrusted to you during your lifetime. A Christian will takes into consideration this definition, but approaches the planning and distribution from a Christian stewardship perspective. Explanation: Biblical stewardship recognizes that God made everything and, therefore, owns everything. What we have has been given to us, entrusted to us by God. Stewardship by definition is "the management of assets belonging to another." As Christian stewards, we are accountable to God for managing what He has entrusted to us. We may be good stewards all through life (tithing, using resources to provide for family and to do good things that honor God), but if we come to the end of life and have not put in place a plan to pass these assets to other responsible stewards, we have not fulfilled our assignment. Every Christian needs a will. No matter how much or how little the Lord has entrusted to you, a Christian will is your plan to transfer your stewardship to other responsible stewards. If, in fact, the Lord has entrusted you with considerable assets, you may need to consider, in addition to a basic will, certain Trust arrangements to maximize your stewardship.
If you already have a will and you want to make changes, you can. Most often, changes can be made simply by adding a codicil (amendment) to your documents. Periodically review your plan and, as needed, ask your attorney to word the changes for you.
"How do I get started preparing a Christian will?" (We're glad you asked!) The steps are the same for everyone; the attitude is different for the Christian: "Lord, thank you for trusting me with these assets. Help me make a plan to pass this on to others who will understand that stewardship comes with the assets. Guide me as I take these steps. Amen."
STEP 1:
Properties. Make a list of properties you hold: money, investments, real estate, house, etc. Be careful not to miss anything. Beside each item, place a market value (what's it worth today). You'll need this later to determine if you need other planning tools such as a Trust.
STEP 2:
Pray. Pray and determine what portion of your assets you want to go to the Lord's work: church, Christian ministries such as Florida Baptist Children's Homes and/or other missions ministries. Quite often, our will is the place where we can finally do something significantly more than we were able during our lifetime. Consider drafting a statement such as this: "Out of love and gratitude to the Lord for my salvation and in honor of His Kingdom, I leave ____% of my estate to the following Christian causes: (fill in the names)."
STEP 3:
People. Make a list of the people for whom you feel responsible to the extent you feel you should leave some portion of your estate. Keep in mind, you're passing on stewardship with the assets; so look for good stewards! By each name, identify what asset, or what portion, you wish that person to manage. A good plan is to use percentages, because your estate's value may go up or down, keeping your transfer proportional to your plan now.
STEP 4:
Plan. With this information in hand, you're ready to put a plan in place. If your assets are modest, a simple Christian will should do. If you have significant assets, you will want to consider Trusts as a way to supplement your will. Quite often, taxes can be saved. Assets can be transferred more readily. Probate costs are avoided; and more may be transferred to benefit loved ones and Kingdom causes.
STEP 5:
Planners. Now you're ready to take your plan to an attorney. Remember, you're working toward "a legally prepared plan...." You may also need to consult your accountant, financial planner, or others.
You'll want to have in mind someone to serve as Personal Representative for your will or Successor Trustee for your Trust. These are capable individuals who can responsibly carry out your legally prepared plans after you're gone.
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