by Pastor Ken
In news reports, I’ve seen stories about rich and famous people leaving large estates. The family members sued one another in court to try to get what they deemed theirs. In the process, some families even discovered that there were illegitimate children outside of the marriage. Those offspring also filed lawsuits to fight for what they deserved.
So, what does a “deserved” inheritance mean?
In the United States, if a person does not have a will or a living trust, the estates must be handed over to the court for a judgment. After all taxes and debts have been paid off, minus the legal fees, the remainder can then be distributed to family members. If the estates exceed a certain amount, it may take one or more years before the relatives can get the money.
The first inheritance I received was from my mother’s uncle, my granduncle. He loved me very much since I was little. When I grew up, I would often visit him. After he passed away in Hong Kong, I had no idea how much money he left behind and how it was distributed. I only knew a certain amount was set aside for me. It was a pleasant surprise. My first reaction was that my granduncle really loved me, and I want to make good use of the money to honor him.
The second inheritance, not much, was left to me by my godmother. She has a son and a daughter, both married at that time. When we met at the funeral, her son-in-law complained to me that he felt bitter and resentful. When my godmother fell ill, he and his wife took care of her. The son seldom came to visit. Now the son got more. He thought it was unfair.
Regardless of the amount of inheritance, it belongs to the deceased. They should have the right to distribute their life savings according to their wishes. As long as they have a sound mind when setting up their will, family members should honor the decision. Taking care of our elders is our responsibility. We should not do that for the sake of trying to get more inheritance, let alone calculating how much we deserve to gain. After all, inheritance is grace, something we don’t earn.
From the perspective of the Christian faith, the Bible says, “We brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing away.” All we have is entrusted to us by God. We should use our wealth to support ourselves and our family and also give back to society and use it on others. Whether it is from work, investment, or inheritance, we need to manage and use money responsibly, according to God’s will. We should not waste it on luxury or meaningless pursuits. If we have money to leave behind, we need to plan ahead. Whether it is for our family members or non-profit organizations, let us entrust it in the hands of those who share our value and can manage and use our wealth for God. It is highly recommended to establish a will or trust funds while we still have a sound mind.
