Even in his last will and testament, Rev.
Billy Graham preached the gospel.
The 16-page document has been filed publicly and in
addition to the typical legal jargon for dividing up assets and designating executors,
“I urge all who shall read this document to read and study
the Scriptures daily and to trust only in the Lord Jesus Christ
for salvation,” Graham wrote.
Graham writes about having little as a child and a newlywed
and reminding his family that whatever he left behind should be used first to
the spread of the gospel.
“I ask my children and grandchildren to maintain and defend
at all hazards at any cost of personal sacrifice the blessed doctrine of
complete Atonement for sin through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ once
offered, and through that alone. I urge all of you to walk with the Lord in a
life of separation from the world and to keep eternal
values in view,” he states.
But God blessed Graham in his ministry and there was much
left behind.
A tithe included in Billy Graham’s will
“We have tried to use our material
blessings for the glory of God,” he wrote.
“Yet I must confess that we were always faced with a
certain dilemma as to how high a standard of living to maintain as servants of
the Lord. We feel that we have maintained a proper balance over the years.
“Whether I have handled things properly or not, we will
have to await the judgement at the Judgement Seat of Christ when all things
will be revealed.”
“I have done my best before the Lord and I have confidence
in all of you that you will consider that you are only trustees of what I have
left.”
Graham instructed that 10 percent of what is left in his
estate will “go the Lord’s work,” as he and Ruth decided from the start of
their marriage that they would be tithers.
The document is also highly personal at times. Graham
recalls his first date with his wife Ruth in December 1940.
“Because of Christ, your mother and I enjoyed a wonderful,
thrilling and joyous life together,” he adds, noting that like any couple, they
also went through problems and burdens.
“I want to thank her for her years of devotion, love,
faithfulness and sacrifice. Of all the people I have ever known, she was the
greatest Christian,” he declares.
“I read it, and then I read it again and I thought to
myself ‘this is Billy’s last sermon,’” author Ken Garfield told WSOC-TV.
Garfield has written several book about Graham.
“You could take these first six or seven paragraphs of will
and it’s kind of the story of his life,” said Garfield.
Also in his will, Graham wrote of the hope that he shared
with millions when he traveled the world as the most
influential evangelist of our time, “When you read this I will be
safely with Jesus in Paradise,” he wrote.
Source: First Posted
HERE
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