Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil — this is a gift of God. Ecclesiastes 5:19
“Banish all inordinate desires after wealth. If you gain an abundance, be discreetly liberal, judiciously benevolent, and if your children have arrived at their majority, die your own executor.”
L. Carroll Judson in Day’s Collacon, compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 1013.
As I have come to the end of this week-long fly fishing trip with Sammy, after earlier this summer having spent a week with Sophie on a teaching trip to Egypt, I am convinced that both our children have “arrived at their majority” as Judson put it.
They both work hard, live contented lives, and love and serve generous. They’ve matured into young adults (which is what “arrived at their majority” means), so the focus of stewardship changes for Jenni and me.
In fishing circles the saying goes like this: “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, feed him for a lifetime.” Figuratively speaking, Sammy and Sophie have learned how to fish, so we can let our owns hands be our executors.
Thank you Lord for the gift of time with my son and daughter this Summer. Thank you for growing them into mature young adults. Now, help Jenni and I put to work all we are and all we have every day of our lives holding nothing back. Amen.