Deathbed Perspectives on Wealth

You have heard the clichés.  “You have never seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul.” “Being of sound mind, I spent it all.” “Only two things are certain—death and taxes.” “He who
dies with the most toys wins.”

Death is the lens through which stewardship is ultimately measured. That is why stewardship decisions and death are so closely tied together in God’s Word.

Death and Generosity
In Luke 12:15-21, a wealthy man who decided to build bigger barns is challenged at the time of his imminent death with the issue of wealth accumulation versus generosity towards God. The measure of life stewardship at his death is described by this simple question: Are we as generous toward God as we are towards ourselves?

A Christian’s life is measured not by how we live but by how we give. If our goal as Christians truly becomes stewardship rather than ownership, we will strive to become a vessel through which resources can flow.

Death and Investing
What does death have to do with investing? In this era of financial scandal, economic uncertainty, and bursting investment “bubbles,” God’s Word provides an investment strategy that is directly connected to our life after death.
Jesus provided sound investment advice for people of all ages: “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matthew 6:20 NIV).

Jesus did not condemn wealth or investing. He simply stated that part of our strategy must include kingdom investing. Sending part of our wealth on ahead, where it will be protected from current market volatility, will cause it to multiply without risk, and it will be waiting for us at death.

Death and Inheritances

Some live for an inheritance; others live to give an inheritance. Solomon said, “For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave
all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This
too is meaningless and a great misfortune” (Ecclesiastes
2:21 NIV).

If you do not believe Solomon, read Proverbs 20:21: “An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning will not be blessed at the end” (NIV).

If you still are not convinced, hear what Jesus said about the danger of inherited wealth:

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?… Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:13-15 NIV).

You see, an inheritance in biblical days came with stewardship…a set of responsibilities. As scriptures clearly state, an inheritance with no responsibility violates God’s laws of stewardship and is foolish. An inheritance quickly received is almost always wasted. An expected inheritance endangers the recipient and often destroys family relationships.

Does that mean you should not help your family? Absolutely not! The greatest economic inheritance you can leave your children and grandchildren is a college education. Where once it was the family farm, now education is the greatest indication of financial stability and success for this generation and comes with built-in stewardship, because you have to do something with it.

Parents should invest in their families by teaching stewardship, initiative, and integrity while investing just
as passionately in kingdom purposes.

Conclusion
When your days on earth are done, the only thing you will lose are the things you have held onto. The only things you will have for eternity are the things you have given away.

Randall K. Barton
Former President/CEO
Assemblies of God Financial Solutions