Three ways to care for neighbors in need in your will (no matter what stage of life you are in)

For many of our most vulnerable neighbors, life’s challenges seem determined to tear them down. War and violence, drought and famine, poverty, climate change and displacement. Because of your deep and abiding love and support, these neighbors can keep going, surviving even the most devastating of circumstances.  

But breaking the cycle of poverty doesn’t happen overnight. The long-term work we do today is made possible, in part, by generous gifts in wills left by those who have gone before us. The gifts are critical to ensuring families and communities can not only survive but also thrive, growing and blossoming in God’s image. You can continue this mission of love and hope for years to come. 

Read on to learn how your will can make a difference, no matter what stage of life you are in. If you need more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. God bless you!  

A will is one of the most consequential documents you'll ever create because it spells out, in clear and legal terms, how you would like the resources you've spent your life building and stewarding to be used long into the future, creating a better life for those you love and care about. 

And yet, a recent report from Caring.com says only 32 percent of Americans report having a will that describes how they would like their money and estate to be handled. Some adults have simply put it off, while others believe they don't yet have enough assets to warrant one.  

Making a will is one of the most important things you can do for your loved ones and the ultimate act of Christian Stewardship. In honor of National Make a Will Month, here are three ways your will can help do just that, no matter what stage of life you are in. 

Make a will 

Yes, it's just that simple. Before a gift in your will can help provide water, food, emergency assistance (or any life-saving possibility) you must first have a will. If you don't have a will, the state will decide how your assets will be distributed. 

Even though a will determines what happens to your assets after you pass away, it is very much a living document that changes as your life and circumstances change. For adults who are just starting to build assets and start a family, making a will is important for many reasons, but especially so that you can establish a guardian for your children if anything should happen to you and direct resources for their care. 

Making a will can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. In fact, we've partnered with FreeWill to provide you an online resource to create a legal will for free. 

Designate a share of your estate 

One of the biggest misconceptions people have about leaving gifts in their wills is that they cannot do so because they are not rich. Especially when you are just starting out, it may not seem like you have much to give. 

But (pun intended), where there's a will, there's a way! By designating a share of your estate (usually a fixed percentage), you can include neighbors in need around the world in your will, even as you are getting established. And the good news is that by giving this way, your gift grows with you. 

Our Guide to Leaving a Gift in Your Will can help you write language in your will that designates a share of your estate to help neighbors in need. 

Tell us if you've remembered Lutheran World Relief in your will 

If you've already made a gift in your will to reach neighbors in need around the world through Lutheran World Relief, you can help them right now…by telling us about it. Why? 

You are a careful steward of the resources in which God has entrusted you, so you understand that knowing about future resources helps to make critical decisions in the here and now. Letting us know about a gift in your will helps neighbors around the world get the help they need – now and long into the future.