This past week, I was reading from a devotional published by Christ to All ministries, also known as \u201cCTA.\u201d\u00a0 The verse of the day was 2nd Corinthians 5:1 in which the Apostle Paul says: \u00a0\u201cFor we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God Himself and not by human hands.\u201d (NLT2) \u00a0\u00a0The illustration that followed was about Woodchester Mansion in Britain.\u00a0 The mansion has an interesting story. \u00a0A rich man named William Leigh purchased a huge estate in the mid-1800\u2019s where he started the construction of what was supposed to be a spacious and luxurious mansion.\u00a0 Construction began in 1858, but 15 years later the work was nowhere near completion.\u00a0 From the outside, the mansion was beautiful and looked like it was ready to be occupied.\u00a0 However, on the inside, most of the rooms lacked interior walls.\u00a0 And, those that had walls were lacking plaster.\u00a0 But, Mr. Leigh had a grand plan for his estate, so he pressed on and poured his money, as well as his life efforts, toward the goal of finishing the mansion.\u00a0 Then, it happened\u2014Mr. Leigh died. And, with his death, all work on this partially built mansion came to a halt.\u00a0 The mansion has remained in that unfinished state for the past 150+ years.\u00a0 Guess who lives there now? Well, it happens to be the home of about 1,000 bats who dwell in the darkness of the mansion\u2019s attic![1]<\/p>\n
In addition to the verse from 2nd Corinthians, Mr. Leigh\u2019s story reminded me of another passage of Scripture in Luke\u2019s Gospel.\u00a0 It is a parable that Jesus told about a man who, like Mr. Leigh, had great building plans.\u00a0 Jesus said: 16\u00a0\u201cThere was once a rich man who had land which bore good crops. 17 \u00a0He began to think to himself, 'I don't have a place to keep all my crops. What can I do? 18 \u00a0This is what I will do,' he told himself; 'I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, where I will store the grain and all my other goods. 19 \u00a0Then I will say to myself, Lucky man! You have all the good things you need for many years. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!' 20 \u00a0But God said to him, \u2018You fool! This very night you will have to give up your life; then who will get all these things you have kept for yourself?\u2019 21 \u00a0And Jesus concluded, \u201cThis is how it is with those who pile up riches for themselves but are not rich in God's sight.\u201d Luke 12:16-21 (TEV) <\/p>\n
When I thought about Mr. Leigh and this barn-builder in Jesus\u2019 parable, and all their worldly building projects, it took me back to my days as a practicing attorney.\u00a0 (Days\u2014by the way\u2014that I don\u2019t miss in the least!)\u00a0 You see, I had a few clients like Mr. Leigh and that barn-builder.\u00a0 They seemed fixated on the material things of this world, with little thought of the world to come.\u00a0\u00a0 This materialistic mindset even spilled over to their estate planning.\u00a0 And, in my law practice, I did a fair amount of estate planning.\u00a0 Occasionally, I\u2019d be invited to churches to give brief seminars on such matters.\u00a0 I would provide those attending with information about such things as Wills, Powers of Attorney and Advanced Medical Directives.\u00a0 Typically, it would take about 45 minutes to talk about these things.\u00a0 At the end of my presentation (if anyone was still awake), I would say that I could give them the best estate planning advice ever in just three sentences.\u00a0 Those who were awake would elbow the ones sleeping to get their attention.\u00a0 Then, all of them would lean forward to hear this great estate planning tip.\u00a0 I would proceed by reading this to them: 19 \u00a0\u201cDon\u2019t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 \u00a0Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 \u00a0Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.\u201d Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT2) \u00a0\u00a0These\u00a0 words, of course, come from Jesus as found in Matthew, chapter 6. Jesus is telling us that if our desires are for worldly riches and materials things, then our hearts will never be heaven bound.\u00a0 They will remain anchored to this earth.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When I\u2019d finish reading these three verses from Matthew\u2019s Gospel at these estate planning seminars, it would be interesting to watch the expressions on the faces of those attending.\u00a0 Some nodded approvingly. Some looked puzzled and then just seemed to shrug it off.\u00a0 I only had one experience of someone being offended by my reading this Scripture.\u00a0 I was in a large United Methodist Church here in Louisa many years ago.\u00a0 After I ended my presentation by reading from Matthew\u2019s Gospel, one of the older women of this congregation slowly approached me.\u00a0 She was walking with a cane.\u00a0 And, by the expression on her face, I was afraid that she had the intention of using that cane on me.\u00a0 She pointed her finger in my face and said, \u201cYou should have never read the Bible here.\u00a0 This was supposed to be only about estate planning.\u00a0 After all, what if someone present tonight were Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or a Buddhist?\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t that have been terrible!\u201d\u00a0 Now, I must say that this was quite a shock to me.\u00a0 After all, we were in part of the church building, so I didn\u2019t quite follow how reading God\u2019s Word in Church could be so offensive!\u00a0 In any event, I turned to this angry lady and replied: \u201cMa\u2019am, if I had been invited to an auditorium full of atheists to give this presentation, I would have told them exactly what I told you tonight\u2014including the passage from the Gospel of Matthew. \u00a0It would make no difference to me who they might be or where they might come from.\u00a0 There is not a person in the world who doesn\u2019t need Jesus Christ!\u201d<\/p>\n
I\u2019d estimate that I gave these estate planning presentations five or six times to churches over the years.\u00a0 But, that was then. . . THIS IS NOW.\u00a0 Now, if I gave a talk on estate planning, it would be quite different in content.\u00a0 It would focus on the \u201ceternal estate\u201d God has prepared for you and would sound something like this.<\/p>\n
[Last Wills and Testaments:]\u00a0 For the part of the discussion involving Wills, I\u2019d provide a model Will that people could go by in making their estate plans.\u00a0 But, this model Will wouldn\u2019t be the latest thing to come out of some legal form book.\u00a0 Rather, I would refer them to a Will that was written 226 years ago by Patrick Henry\u2014that faithful Christian who was a patriot of the American Revolution.\u00a0 He had a very detailed Will that deposed of his earthly properties by carefully dividing his estate among his family members.\u00a0 But, that is not the part of his Will that I\u2019d dwell upon.\u00a0 Rather, I\u2019d have you focus on something he wrote at the very end of his Will.\u00a0 This is the message he wrote to his heirs that was the most valuable bequest he could have ever given them.\u00a0 Here is a paraphrase of what he wrote:\u00a0 \u201cThis is all the Inheritance I can give to [you]\u2014my dear family; [But,] the RELIGION OF CHRIST CAN GIVE [you] AN INHERITANCE WHICH WILL MAKE [you] RICH INDEED.\u201d[2] \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
This closing note to Patrick Henry\u2019s Will offered something much more valuable to his heirs than any of the material things that he left to them.\u00a0 The reason for this is that the material things of this world do not last.\u00a0 They are temporary things that will one day lie in ruins.\u00a0 In this regard, let me give you an example regarding another extravagant home of a wealthy businessman.\u00a0 Again, this story comes from the 1800\u2019s\u2014only this time it involves Godfrey Barnsley who was once recognized as one of the world\u2019s wealthiest men.\u00a0 Like Mr. Leigh, he bought a huge tract of land.\u00a0 This estate, however, was here in America in the northern part of Georgia.\u00a0 His greatest desire was to build an immense house to impress his wife. \u00a0He spared no expense on the building materials.\u00a0 The windows were handcrafted by the finest artists and fitted with sterling silver latches.\u00a0 The floors were inlaid with Italian marble. \u00a0He had elaborate gardens and landscaping put in place surrounding the premises.\u00a0 But, unlike Mr. Leigh, Mr. Barnsley completed this house.\u00a0 It was said to be the most beautiful home on this side of the Mississippi River.\u00a0 So, there it was\u2014ready for his wife to move in.\u00a0 But, she never had the opportunity to do so.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Well, like Mr. Leigh, she died.\u00a0 Her death came before she ever set a foot into that magnificent home.\u00a0 As time went by, the structure fell into a state of disrepair.\u00a0 Eventually, Mr. Barnsley died as well and his last will and testament left the house to family members.\u00a0 But, over the years, the estate passed into the hands of new owners.\u00a0 And, in the 1980\u2019s, real estate developers turned the property into an upscale resort.\u00a0 So, what happened to Mr. Barnsley\u2019s grand home?\u00a0 Today, nothing is left of it but a pile of rocks with a little sign by them simply stating:\u00a0 \u201cManor House Ruins.\u201d[3]<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You see, it doesn\u2019t matter whether it\u2019s one of the barns referred to in Jesus\u2019 parable of the barn-builder, or Mr. Leigh\u2019s mansion, Mr. Barnsley\u2019s house, or whether it\u2019s your house or mine.\u00a0 One day all those earthly structures are going to be a pile of rubble or occupied by bats or some other creatures.\u00a0 If worldly things are your sole legacy to your heirs, then you have left them with a poor estate indeed.\u00a0 You see, making your Last Will and Testament to dispose of earthly property that won\u2019t last, isn\u2019t the important thing.\u00a0 The only truly important WILL to make sure you follow is the WILL OF GOD.\u00a0 Then, your \u201cwill\u201d will be exactly as it should be.\u00a0 If you really want to leave something to your children and family members, you don\u2019t have to wait until you die.\u00a0 Instead, share with them the Word of God today.\u00a0 Lavish upon them the greatest of treasures\u2014the teachings and examples of Jesus Christ.\u00a0 There are no greater riches that you can leave them than that!<\/p>\n
[Powers of Attorney:]\u00a0 After finishing the discussion on Wills, I\u2019d continue my revised estate planning seminar by moving on to \u00a0powers of attorney.\u00a0 A power of attorney is a legal document whereby you give someone the power to act on your behalf.\u00a0 It comes in handy if you become incapacitated in some way due to illness or accident. \u00a0The person you designate has the power to act on your behalf and in your best interests.\u00a0 But, here is the reality: \u00a0It is not so important to have a power of attorney to enable some other person to handle your affairs.\u00a0 What is more crucial is to allow the power of the Holy Spirit to transform your heart and mind so that you can handle your own affairs according to God\u2019s plan for your life. \u00a0Paul alluded to this incomparable power when he said:\u00a0 2 \u00a0\u201cDon\u2019t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know GOD\u2019S WILL for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.\u201d Romans 12:2 (NLT2) 13 \u00a0\u201cMay God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.\u201d Romans 15:13 (TEV)<\/p>\n
Any estate lawyer can provide you with a power of attorney document.\u00a0 But, only the Holy Spirit has the power to give you a \u201cnew heart.\u201d\u00a0 To all those who surrender their lives to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit promises:\u00a0 26 \u00a0\u201cI will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. 27 \u00a0And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow My decrees and be careful to obey My regulations.\u201d Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NLT2) \u00a0Having a human being temporarily in charge of your daily business when needed can be a good thing.\u00a0 But, it is infinitely better to keep the Holy Spirit permanently in charge of spiritual matters concerning your heart.<\/p>\n
[Advanced Medical Directive:]\u00a0 Finally, I would cover Advanced Medical Directives in my new estate planning talk.\u00a0 It is an important document whereby you appoint someone you trust to make the decision, if necessary, to withdraw life support if you are rendered in a medically hopeless condition from which no recovery is possible.\u00a0 Sometimes people refer to it casually as \u201cpulling the plug.\u201d \u00a0But, these dire situations are anything but casual.\u00a0 They involve those incredibly tough decisions to make when the doctors tell you that a loved one, who is in a vegetative state, has no chance of recovery and is basically being sustained artificially.\u00a0\u00a0 Most people don\u2019t like to think about this document because it reminds them that this earthly life is so fragile and temporary. \u00a0But, the reality is that one day the \u201cplug will be pulled\u201d on all of us\u2014because every human being will one day pass from this earth.[4]\u00a0 Only God knows the exact time for each one of us.\u00a0 Of course, as legal documents, Advanced Medical Directives serve an important role and provide people with the comfort and peace of mind that their passing from this earth will be handled by someone they can trust.\u00a0 \u00a0But, it is infinitely more important to consider where you will be headed after you pass from this world.\u00a0 So, rather than pondering a \u201cMedical Directive,\u201d spend more time considering your SPIRITUAL DIRECTIVE\u2014the one by which Jesus says: 28 \u00a0\u201cCome to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 \u00a0Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 \u00a0For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.\u201d Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB)<\/p>\n
So, now you\u2019ve heard it: My revised \u201cestate planning\u201d seminar that I would give today.\u00a0 It is less about earthly estate planning that benefits your heirs, and more about spiritual estate planning that is of eternal benefit to you.\u00a0 I wonder if William Leigh or Godfrey Barnsley ever considered such a spiritual \u201cestate plan.\u201d\u00a0 I certainly hope so.\u00a0 And, I pray that they weren\u2019t like the rich barn-builder in Jesus\u2019 parable who I mentioned earlier.\u00a0 He was so enthralled with the material things of this world that his life was dedicated to building bigger and better earthly structures.\u00a0 He seemed to be clueless about the temporary nature of such worldly things.\u00a0 And, think about Mr. Leigh.\u00a0 When he died, the home he strove to build ended up being a giant hotel for bats.\u00a0 If that abandoned mansion was all he treasured, then Mr. Leigh had a terrible \u201cestate plan.\u201d\u00a0 Estate planning shouldn\u2019t be limited to considering where your earthly possessions will go when you die.\u00a0 For the most part, it should be about where you will go when you die.\u00a0 Will it be to a heavenly estate, or to a hellish one?\u00a0 \u00a0It is a question of having your priorities straight.\u00a0 \u00a0In this regard, Jesus said: \u201cSeek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.\u201d Matthew 6:33 (KJV) \u00a0Those \u201cthings\u201d that Jesus spoke of are not the materials riches of this world.\u00a0 Rather, they are the \u201cspiritual riches\u201d that come when you have a right relationship with God.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why Jesus said: \u201cIt is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.\u201d Matthew 19:24 (KJV) \u00a0When hearing that, many people comfort themselves by thinking:\u00a0 \u201cOh, I don\u2019t have to worry about that\u2014I\u2019m not rich.\u201d\u00a0 The problem is that there are many poor and middle-class people who have the same faulty spiritual mindset as the \u201crich man\u201d who\u2019d no sooner pass into Heaven than that camel would pass through the needle.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t believe me, just go into your local convenience store.\u00a0 Look over at all the people standing in line to buy lotto tickets.\u00a0 Many of them are anything but rich.\u00a0 Yet, they lay down their money on a gamble.\u00a0 They put their trust in \u201cLady Luck\u201d and not the God of the Universe who created them.\u00a0 They fail to understand that they are actually gambling with their souls when they rely on earthly riches to sustain their future rather than trusting in God.\u00a0 That is what you do when you don\u2019t have your spiritual priorities straight. \u00a0You will see more camels passing through the eyes of needles than such reckless gamblers entering into the Kingdom of Heaven.\u00a0 And, the reason for this is that their \u201cestate plans\u201d are eternally flawed.<\/p>\n
God has a better plan for you.\u00a0 The Book of Jeremiah says He has a plan for your good, and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.[5]\u00a0 It is a plan that gives you the hope of residing in an eternal \u201cmansion\u201d\u2014not like Mr. Leigh\u2019s that was never finished, or Mr. Barnsley\u2019s that ended up as a pile of rubble. The future \u201cmansion\u201d God has ready in His Heavenly Kingdom can be eternally yours if you have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him.\u00a0 Jesus said, 2 \u00a0\u201cIn My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 \u00a0And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.\u201d John 14:2-3 (NKJV)\u00a0\u00a0 That\u2019s the only \u201cestate plan\u201d that\u2019s eternally sound.\u00a0 And, note this:\u00a0 When Mr. Leigh bought the property where he commenced construction on his mansion, it cost him 100,000 British pounds.\u00a0 That is equivalent to about $14 million today![6]\u00a0 Now, that\u2019s a lot to pay for any estate.\u00a0 But, the estate God has ready for you\u2014it won\u2019t cost you a dime.\u00a0 And yet, that future \u201cmansion\u201d of yours cost God dearly.\u00a0\u00a0 You see, your heavenly mansion, that God longs for you to occupy upon leaving your \u201cearthly tent,\u201d cost God the Father the blood of His Son Jesus Christ.\u00a0 Your \u201cmansion\u201d was paid for in full by Jesus\u2019 sacrifice on the Cross. \u00a0Who could be so foolish as to abandon the opportunity to live in such a Heavenly Mansion purchased for you at such a high cost?<\/p>\n
Yes, \u201cestate planning\u201d is a wonderful thing.\u00a0 It is something that everyone should take care of without delay\u2014because you never know when you will be taking that final breath.\u00a0 But, the only \u201cestate planning\u201d that really matters has nothing to do with what lawyers write on paper.\u00a0 It has everything to do with what\u2019s written on your heart.\u00a0 King David did many wonderful things, and he did some awful things as well.\u00a0 But, in the end, he had his \u201cestate plan\u201d in order when he declared: \u201cI delight TO DO YOUR WILL, my God, for your law is WRITTEN UPON MY HEART!\u201d Psalm 40:8 (TLB) \u00a0So, how can GOD\u2019S WILL for your life be written on your heart?\u00a0 For those who turn to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, God will take care of the writing\u2014for the LORD promises: \u201cI will put My laws in their minds, and I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS. I will be their God, and they will be My people.\u201d Hebrews 8:10 (NLT2) So, how\u2019s your estate plan looking this morning?\u00a0 What\u2019s written on your heart today?<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Darvin Satterwhite, Pastor<\/p>\n
Forest Hill Baptist Church<\/p>\n
March 30, 2025<\/p>\n
\u00a92025 All Rights Reserved as follows:<\/p>\n
Anyone is at liberty to use this sermon or any portions thereof for educational or religious purposes, with or without credit. The pastor believes the material presented herein to be true to the teaching of Scripture, and desires to further, not restrict, its potential use as an aid in the study of God\u2019s Word. The publication of this material is a grace ministry of Forest Hill Baptist Church in Louisa, Virginia.<\/p>\n
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Visit us on our Face Book page at https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/4409sspotswoodrdgordonsvilleva.<\/p>\n
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[1] A. Trevor Sutton, Abide with Me: A Journey of Dwelling in Jesus, \u201cAbiding in Your Forever Home,\u201d Christ to All, CTA, Inc., Thailand: 2025, p. 60-61.<\/p>\n
[2] Red Hill, Patrick Henry National Memorial, \u201cPatrick Henry\u2019s Will, redhill.org, https:\/\/www.redhill.org\/patrick-henry\/henrys-will\/ (accessed March 26, 2025).<\/p>\n
[3] Kenneth Boa, Leverage: Using Temporal Wealth for Eternal Gain (Trinity House Publishers, 2023), p. 3\u2014cited in PreachingToday.com,\u00a0\u00a0 https:\/\/www.preachingtoday.com\/search\/?query=estate&contentFilter =Illustration&type=word (accessed March 27, 2025).<\/p>\n
[4] James 4:14\u00a0 \u201cYet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For\u00a0you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.\u201d (ESV)<\/p>\n
[5] Jeremiah 29:11 \u201cFor I know the plans I have for you,\" says the Lord. \"They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.\u201d (TLB)<\/p>\n
[6] A. Trevor Sutton, Abide with Me: A Journey of Dwelling in Jesus, \u201cAbiding in Your Forever Home,\u201d Christ to All, CTA, Inc., Thailand: 2025, p. 60-61.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This past week, I was reading from a devotional published by Christ to All ministries, also known as \u201cCTA.\u201d\u00a0 The verse of the day was 2nd Corinthians 5:1 in which the Apostle Paul says: \u00a0\u201cFor we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, … Continue reading