“One day they will dig a hole, put you in it and throw dirt in your face, then go back to the church and eat potato salad.” – Tony Campolo

The topic of legacy seems very active these days. Maybe because my generation, the baby-boomers, are getting older!  Even our radio station plays “the oldies”! Maybe it’s a common theme because these days what we hold in our hands is obsolete before the packaging it comes in hits the recycling bin.  Or maybe it’s because we are realizing that our propensity to accumulate things leaves us with empty hands and empty hearts.

The quote above was part of a video series that Tony Campolo did many years ago. The theme was about value and his assertion was that we have turned our values upside down. Though the presentation was many years ago I have never forgotten the line. I remember at the time how we, the audience, laughed out loud – nervously! It’s a sobering thought. One day our lives will come to a halt. What we have done, what we own, who we have been will no longer be added to. Time will be up.

At that time our legacy will be evaluated. On that day people will stand and talk about our impact on their lives. People will witness how we’ve impacted the world around us. So is this a good time to think about how we might continue to bless others after we pass from this life? Is this a good time to consider making some real plans that will have more impact than simply wishing for something that someone else will decide for us?

If you think about a gift in your will, a gift of through your estate is possibly the most impactful gift that you will ever make. Strangely enough less than half of all Canadians have a Will. And without a will, you need to think about who will make decisions about your estate on your behalf? Someone, you know? Someone, you don’t know?

Without a will can you be assured that those decisions will reflect your values, your beliefs or priorities? In Canada slightly, more than 40% of all financial donations are made to religious organizations.  Those of who are active Salvationists will be used to giving our tithe or offering so a will seems like a logical extension of that practice.  Could you consider tithing on your estate and putting that in a will so that you are assured of it happening?

Imagine the gift you could provide to your corps, to a local ministry or to a particular work that reflects your passion. Would you like to bless the work of The Salvation Army in another part of the world? With projects always active in some of the more desperate parts of the world, you could have a real impact on many people! The options are almost unlimited.

Provision to The Salvation Army, whether local or national or international, is a wonderful way to bless others and an easy way to leave a legacy.