Duty and Responsibility of Property Owners by George A. Irwin

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 13, 1910

Duty and Responsibility of Property Owners

By George A. Irwin

IN the plan of salvation, God in love and mercy to fallen humanity has so arranged it that man may co-operate with him in the salvation of his fellow man. In no way is this co-operation more clearly shown to the world and recognized by our Heavenly Father, than by a cheerful and liberal giving of the means with which he has blessed us, to carry forward his work in the earth. If our hearts are right toward God in this matter, we receive a double blessing at his hands: first, in the obtaining, “for it is he who gives us power to get wealth;” and, second, in giving it back to him to be used in spreading a knowledge of his truth in the earth.

But while this is true, on the other hand, a wrong use or careless handling of the means entrusted to us is a great sin. In our Saviour’s teachings he kept this thought prominently before his disciples: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness;” and in his warnings for the last days he makes it quite clear that covetousness will be one of the prominent sins that his people must be careful to avoid. Luke 21:34. Satan knows humanity’s

weakness in this direction, so he says to his angels:—

Go, make the possessors of lands and money drunk with cares. If you can make them place their affections upon these things, we shall have them yet. . . . We must keep in our ranks all the means of which we can gain control. The more means the followers of Christ devote to his service, the more will they injure our kingdom by getting our subjects.—“Early Writings,” chapter “Covetousness.”

In order to save us from ignorantly falling into Satan’s trap, the Lord has revealed to us his plan, and forewarned us of the danger; yet notwithstanding all this, the following statement is made in “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. I, page 199:—

I was shown the awful fact that Satan and his angels have had more to do with the management of the property of God’s professed people, than the Lord has.

In searching further to see how this is accomplished, I find the following: “Going security for unbelievers;” “loaning money to dishonest borrowers;” “holding on to our property, intending before we die to make a will, but are suddenly taken away, leaving our affairs in a tangled condition, to be consumed in a course of law;” “to save a little expense and trouble, have wills drawn up by incompetent parties, so that after death they are easily broken.”

These are some of the ways by which the devil accomplishes his purpose; but it is more particularly to the last that I wish to call attention at this time.

It would be too strong a statement to make, as some do, that “a will is not worth the paper it is written on,” for there are many instances where children regard the good name and wishes of their parents more than a few paltry dollars; but it is a fact that a large majority of the wills that are made in these days can be, and are, broken. Especially is this so when the bequests go to a religious organization. “Not competent,” “mentally incapacitated,” “unduly influenced,” “overpersuaded,” etc.—are the reasons usually adduced why the will should be set aside. In addition to this, technical questions of law arise because the litigator has failed to give the exact corporate name by which the society is known and can be fully identified.

In cases where it seems clear that no other manner of securing means to the cause should be adopted, no pains should be spared to obtain legal advice, and have wills drawn up in a manner to stand the test. When contemplating making a will, the first and most important thing is to find out the exact legal name of the society or organization, and the State, county, and city where its headquarters are and its principal business transacted, that you wish to assist. The names by which we know and speak of our organizations and institutions are, in only a few cases, the names by which they are known in the eyes of the law. It is the duty of the minister to call attention to these matters, and instruct the people. I quote a few lines from “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IV, pages 479, 478:—

Many manifest a needless delicacy on this point. They feel that they are stepping upon forbidden ground when they introduce the subject of property to the aged or to invalids in order to learn what disposition they design to make of it. But this duty is just as sacred as the duty to preach the word to save souls.

There are aged ones among us who are nearing the close of their probation; but for the want of wide-awake men to secure to the cause of God the means in their possession, it passes into the hands of those who are serving Satan.

But how much safer and better it would be for every one to act as executor of the means entrusted to him as steward. I quote again from the same article:—

Dying legacies are a miserable substitute for living benevolence. The servants of God should be making their wills every day, in good works and liberal offerings to God.—Id., page 481.

The Lord would have his followers dispense their means while they can do it themselves. Some may inquire, “Must we actually dispossess ourselves of everything which we call our own?” We may not be required to do this now; but we must be willing to do so for Christ’s sake. We must acknowledge that our possessions are absolutely his, by using of them freely whenever means is needed to advance his cause. Some close their ears to the calls made for money to be used in sending missionaries to foreign countries, and in publishing the truth and scattering it like autumn leaves all over the world. Such excuse their covetousness by informing you that they have made arrangements to be charitable at death. They have considered the cause of God in their wills. Therefore they live a life of avarice, robbing God in tithes and in offerings, and in their wills return to God but a small portion of that which he has lent them, while a very large proportion is appropriated to relatives who have no interest in the truth. This is the worst kind of robbery. They rob God of his just dues, not only all through life, but also at death.

It is utter folly to defer to make a preparation for the future life until nearly the last hour of the present life. It is also a great mistake to defer to answer the claims of God for liberality to his cause until the time comes when you are to shift your stewardship upon others. Those to whom you entrust your talents of means may not do as well with them as you have done. How dare rich men run so great risks! Those who wait till death before they make a disposition of their property, surrender it to death rather than to God. In so doing, many are acting directly contrary to the plan of God plainly stated in his Word. If they would do good, they must seize the present golden moments, and labor with all their might, as if fearful that they may lose the favorable opportunity.

Those who neglect known duty by not answering to God’s claims upon them in this life, and who soothe their consciences by calculating on making their bequests at death, will receive no words of commendation from the Master, nor will they receive a reward. They practised no self-denial, but selfishly retained their means as long as they could, yielding it up only when death claimed them. That which many purpose to defer until they are about to die, if they were Christians indeed they would do while they have a strong hold on life. They would devote themselves and their property to God, and, while acting as his stewards, they would have the satisfaction of doing their duty. By becoming their own executors, they could meet the claims of God themselves, instead of shifting the responsibility upon others.—Id., pages 479, 480.

There are in our ranks many old and middle-aged people who are the possessors of small homes, and in some instances, other real and personal property upon the income of which they are in a measure dependent for support. Doubtless it is the wish and intent of such persons to have all their means go to the cause at their decease that it may be used to build up and advance the third angel’s message, hence the question arises, How can this property be safeguarded to the cause, and the owners have the benefit of the income during life? Either one of two ways may be followed.

First: Convert all property possible into money, and deposit the same with either your local, union, or General Conference, or some one of our regularly organized and recognized institutions as you may elect, taking therefor an annuity bond drawing a reasonable rate of interest, to be paid annually during the lifetime of the possessor. The conditions of these bonds are such that the death of the holder terminates all obligation upon the part of the conference or institution giving the bond, and the means at once becomes a part of the assets of the conference or institution without going through an administrator’s hands or any other process of law.

Second: Where the property consists simply of a home that is desired by its owners for a residence during life, then the property can be deeded in fee simple to the conference or institution you elect to have it, said conference or institution giving you in return, without cost, a lease of the premises that will guarantee to you full and peaceable possession during life, you to pay all taxes and assessments that might be imposed upon and be chargeable against the said premises, during the continuance of this lease, from year to year, as the case may be.

By strict attention to these three

methods; namely, annuity bonds, deeds in fee simple, and wills properly made and with certainty in regard to the legal name and place of business of the institution or organization to be assisted, all property belonging to Seventh-day Adventists can be made reasonably secure to the cause. The first two methods are positively safe.

All the property we possess belongs to the Lord, but he permits us to hold and control it for a time as his stewards. “It is required of stewards that a man be found faithful,” so let us each as individuals see to it that none of the property that God has entrusted to us falls into the enemy’s hands.

G. A. IRWIN.