LOVING LIFE... A Publication of Love Fellowship Christian Center, Inc. OCT/NOV 4.1 | Page 12

Deacon Jason Goods
Dollars and Sense Ministry
Is Your Financial House In Order?

If you were to ask most Christians if they would be ready if Jesus came back tomorrow, you will most likely receive a
resounding, “YES, LAWD!” Slightly rephrasing the question to inquire about their own death and their financial preparedness will yield an answer that is likely not as immediate and significantly more subdued. Earlier this week, my
family laid my paternal grandmother to rest. Mom-Mom was 82 years young and lived a great life in relatively excellent health. Her health had deteriorated quite rapidly during the last few days of her life.
Mom-Mom passed away without having made a Will. Her home which was currently under-contract, was her primary
asset. Settlement was scheduled for the end of month. In the wake of Super-storm Sandy, her home sustained significant flood damage. Despite having a newly renovated lower level and a lifetime of joyous memories to cherish,
Mom-Mom decided she just could not fathom the potential of having to rebuild following the next „Sandy?. As my
childhood Pastor so eloquently and appropriately concluded her eulogy, “After 45 plus years, Mom-Mom was packing up and preparing to leave Green Street. She was planning to move in to a new home with my aunt, but God had a
different home in glory, prepared for her instead!”
My Pop-Pop and Mom-Mom grew up during The Great Depression. While that was a long time ago, the experience
left a lasting impression and shaped their behaviour when it came to finances. As a result, they were part of a generation that had very little trust in financial institutions. For the majority of their lives, they made their deposits and
withdrawals from the ultra convenient, very local branch of the Sealy Posturepedic Savings and Loan!
This narrative of my Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop may be reminiscent of your own personal experiences with your parents and/or grandparents. As a child, their finances were always “none of your business,” and that policy remained
the status quo even as you both grew older. This status quo is partly to blame for our lack of financial preparedness
when it comes to their unexpected passing, as well as our own. My family was emotionally prepared for Mom-Mom?s
unexpected passing; the financial readiness aspect remains to be seen.
Please take a few moments to take a personal inventory of the checklist below to ensure that your family will be financially prepared in the event of your unexpected
passing or the passing of a relative.