An Ethical Will

AM Psalm 61, 62 • PM Psalm 68:1-20(21-23)24-36
Wisdom 10:1-4(5-12)13-21 • Rom. 12:1-21 • Luke 8:1-15

I first heard of the tradition of an “Ethical Will” from a Jewish source, as a wisdom counterpoint to a traditional Last Will and Testament. My wife and I have a Will that passes along our material goods to our children and to our grandchildren and to some charitable beneficiaries that we love.

An Ethical Will is intended to pass along the wisdom and lessons of a lifetime. Romans 12 reads a little bit like an Ethical Will from Paul of Tarsus.

Present your bodies as a living sacrifice to God. (He had done that, nearly facing martyrdom a few times.) Let your mind be renewed in order to know and follow God’s will—whatever is good and acceptable. Be modest, yet honest.

We are all intimately connected, everyone offering their different gifts for the sake of the whole. Claim your gifts and use them for good. Be zealous. “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” (That’s as good as advice gets.)

Be generous and hospitable. Love and bless your enemies. Live in peace. No vengeance. And that hilarious line— “If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” (WHAT??!)

Bottom line: “Overcome evil with good.”

A priceless inheritance.

Written by Lowell Grisham

Lowell has been helping St. Theodore's, Bella Vista while they've been between priests. Their new Rector Brandon Hudson will start in July. A second retirement for Lowell.