Page 39 - Presbyterian Connection

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REFLECTIONS
Put Your House in Order
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FALL 2024
PRESBYTERIAN
39
By Larry Fisher, the Gathering Place Presbyterian Church in Port Colborne, Ont.
The Bible study I take part in re- cently studied Isaiah 38. When I read the words in verse one “put your house in order,” I closed my Bible and thought about those words for the longest time. I thought about my brother dying in 2010 at age 63 and about the re- sponsibilities of being his execu- tor, and the things he might have done to put his “house in order.”
Getting our house in order is something that we all know that we need to do but we are some- times not sure of the best way of doing it. Getting our house in order begins with a mindset. We must decide that there is some urgency to arranging our affairs and solving lingering issues.
In John 13–17, we see Jesus putting his house in order. Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and said, “For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” Jesus was preparing the disciples for what was coming and stressed their need to love one another in view of his approaching departure.
It’s interesting that in the Bible there are about 500 verses on prayer and 500 verses on faith, but more than 2,000 verses that mention money and posses- sions. Nineteen of the parables Jesus tells are related to money and possessions. Jesus knows money is a touchy topic to peo- ple. When our financial perspec- tive is out of balance, other areas of our life suffer.
Families disagree and argue over estates and possessions. Je-
sus said, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).
Peace should be made with God, and our worldly affairs so arranged that we can leave this world without distraction or re- gret. And I believe that part of get- ting our house in order is having strong family relationships.
Every person should set their house in order. We are all going to die, eventually. Death is an event that demands preparation. This preparation should not be deferred to the dying moment. We do not always get a warning about what will happen to our health or in our life. Scripture tells us that we must not put off things that are impor- tant because we are not promised tomorrow. We must be ready.
When my brother died, I was not prepared for the bank to freeze his bank accounts and demand his will be probated. I was not prepared for the auto- matic withdrawals for his house and car insurance payments to be stopped when there was more than enough money in his accounts. I was not prepared to receive notices that I had 15 days to pay them, by cash or certified cheque, or they would be can- celled. How was I supposed to do this from frozen bank accounts?
I started to put together a checklist of things needed to be known or remembered when settling an estate to help get my house and affairs in order. I put this together for my daughters to make things a bit easier, and I felt I was fulfilling my obligations ex- pected of me in the Bible by get-
ting my house in order. I believe everyone should have a will pre- pared and make sure they have their affairs in order.
I was surprised to find that the scriptures mention a will, in- heritances and how we are to be prepared for our deaths. I believe God wants each of us to “put your house in order.” You might want to start, if you have not already, by putting a checklist together of estate planning items.
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The Presbyterian Church in Canada has several resources to help people get their house in order. Find information on how to include a charitable bequest in your will and an estate planning guide at presbyterian.ca/stewardship/planned-giving/ways-of- giving-estate-planning. There, you will find a digital copy of Your Will Planning Guide, a booklet produced by and available free- of-charge from the PCC. This 32-page document provides lists of important documents that will help your family and/or friends navigate your estate; walks you through why you need a will, what to do to get one, and where to store it; and has space for you to create an inventory of your personal belongings, record important funeral details and more.
Staff in the Stewardship & Planned Giving department are hap- py to talk to you or your congregation about ways to leave a gift to the church, while still providing an inheritance for fam- ily and friends. Call 1-800-619-7301 or email stewardship@ presbyterian.ca.
Read full obituaries online at presbyterian.ca
Donna Marion Mawhinney
Deceased July 11, 2024 Lunenberg, N.S.
Dr. John Derksen
Deceased June 1, 2024 Toronto, Ont.
The Rev. Aurthur (Harry) Henry Winston McWilliams Deceased May 26, 2024 Ancaster, Ont.
DEATH NOTICES