Those of us who have professed belief in God and His Word are in a very different place than those who have not embraced this belief system. Belief in God calls us to act, speak and think with motivation and purpose to bring honor and glory to God. This is a basic and core difference from the vast majority in our world.

The world would have us believe—and puts many temptations in front of us—that our motives should come from our own hearts and understanding, and that the standard for our behavior and decisions should come from our own personal desires and plans. But as God’s people we have been called to live lives guided by the commandments and teachings of Scripture. This way of life is not only for our own good but also to serve as a model for others. The instruction provided for us from our Creator is pure and right for all generations throughout time.

God’s commands to us fall into two general categories: how we are to relate to Him, and how we are to relate to His other creatures. Within both of these areas, He calls each of us to gratefully receive what He gives and then to use it wisely for our needs, the needs of others, and the building of His kingdom.

God’s Word tells us that we are stewards. In other words, all the possessions we have are really owned by God and are merely loaned to us by Him. When we see our possessions as God’s, we begin to comprehend the way we should use and pass on these possessions of God’s when we leave this life to join our Savior.

Our role as stewards of what God has entrusted to us remains to the very last day of our lives. On that last day, we have the opportunity to conduct one final act of stewardship over the possessions God has blessed us with during our lives. That act carries great significance for two reasons: 1) It is our final act in our capacity as God’s steward, and 2) it could be our largest act of stewardship, financially speaking, as we pass on all that we have.

More than 65 percent of Americans never plan for this monumental responsibility. As Christians, we should not take this event lightly. It is a powerful opportunity to bless others and further the kingdom of God. Here are three examples of final acts of stewardship that have blessed the RPCNA immensely.

Way back in 1892, David Gregg—in his last act of stewardship—left property in downtown Pittsburgh to the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America. He further designated that income from this property and/or its investment be used to provide financial assistance: for overseas and national mission works; to the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS); to the program that led to the denomination’s pension plan; and to his local congregation. David’s gift has been benefitting these ministries for 120 years! Today David’s gift funds much of the denomination’s 20/20 Vision to plant 20 new churches by the year 2020. In his desire to support the works of his church, David would have loved to know that he would be helping to plant churches and expand the ministry of the RPCNA 12 decades later!

The Cecil J. S. MacLaughlin Trust was established in 1980 when Mrs. MacLaughlin died. The MacLaughlins, in their lifetimes, had loved and supported Geneva College and a variety of ministries of the RPCNA. Their vision and desire to see these ministries of God’s kingdom continue did not stop with their lives on this earth. They made plans to have God’s possessions continue funding the ministries that blessed them. Over the last 32 years their trust has generated almost $4 million to move the missions and ministries of the RPCNA forward. Their wise planning has extended their stewardship into the future.

Melville and Geneva Rutherford were regular supporters of the ministries of the RPCNA during their lifetimes. In their desire to maximize the return on what God had blessed them with, they carefully planned their last act of stewardship. Since 2005, their gift has blessed not only their home congregation but also the Reformed Presbyterian Woman’s Association, RPTS, the Global and Home Mission Boards, Geneva College, and other ministries of the denomination.

Wise stewardship leaves a powerful and lasting testimony.

The question that immediately comes to mind is: What would the future of the RPCNA look like if all of its members would include the denomination in their last acts of stewardship? Those of us who have children have a natural desire to leave them a legacy gift of love. We are most concerned that they receive from us—one more time—a symbol of our love for them and a last act of love from us. Should this not also be our attitude toward the visible church of Christ, in gratitude to God who has blessed us with His Spirit and enabled us to know Him and His perfect and loving will for us?

Over the years, as I have worked with people in designing their estate plans, I have become acutely aware of the potential power these final acts of our stewardship hold for the furtherance of God’s church.

There are many ministries of the RPCNA that need funding and support. Many of them are listed in this article and have been greatly aided by the estate gifts given to them in the examples cited. All of these ministries have important missions in God’s church. The ministry that financially supports all of the RPCNA’s works is the Reformed Presbyterian Missions & Ministries Fund (RPM&M Fund).

Imagine what the RPCNA could do for God’s name and glory if we, as Reformed Presbyterians, passed on in our last acts of stewardship a portion of the possessions He has given to us for the work of the denomination that has been a blessing to our loved ones and us.

If you would like to talk with me about your last act of stewardship, or if you have questions about how to begin the process of planning this important part of your stewardship, you may contact me at the address below. Or you can talk with your attorney. Either way, we all should give careful thought and planning to our final acts of stewardship and consider how we might extend the power of God’s possessions for His glory.

—Don Reed is director of planned giving for the RP Seminary. A feature article by the Trustees of the RPCNA Synod appears semiannually in the Witness.

Don may be reached via email at dreed@rpts.edu or regular mail at 425 North 7th Street, Sterling, KS 67579.