Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
— Matthew 6:21
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
— James 1:17
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.
— Ecclesiastes 3:1
Spiritual Exercise One: Preparing or Updating Your Will
[Testifying to Gratitude and Generosity]
[An Exercise in Gratitude, Generosity, and Testimony]
The Book of Common Prayer offers a surprising piece of wisdom: "All persons should make wills while they are in health..." (BCP p. 445) Interestingly, this guidance appears not at the end of life, but at the beginning—within the liturgy for A Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child.
From the Church’s perspective, creating a will is a hallmark of faithful adulthood. It is how we provide for those who follow in our footsteps.
“The will disposes of our goods. The testament is where we speak our values.”
A Last Will and Testament is more than a legal document; it is a spiritual testimony. It is your final declaration of what has mattered, what you believe, and what you hope for those you love.
This exercise invites you to view generosity not as a loss, but as a profound act of thanksgiving—a way of "paying forward" the blessings entrusted to you.
Our faith has been built by the hands of others.
From the churches we call home to the bishops who serve New Mexico and Far West Texas, our sacramental life is a gift from those who came before. We are the stewards of a remarkable generosity—one that we are now called to carry forward.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." — Ecclesiastes 3:1
All persons should make wills while they are in health, arranging for the disposal of their temporal goods. BCP p. 445
We are not owners but stewards of what has been given to us; our commitment to responsible stewardship ensures that our legacy supports both our loved ones and the mission of the Church
TAking Action (The EXERCISE)
Follow these steps to transform your estate planning into a spiritual practice:
Begin in Prayer: Ask for a spirit of gratitude, clarity, and freedom.
Review or Create: Ensure your legal documents reflect your spiritual values, not just your assets.
Draft Your Testament: Write a letter or record a message.
What do you believe?
What has sustained your faith?
What do you hope your loved ones remember?
Remember the Church: Consider a gift to your congregation or Diocese as a final act of thanksgiving.
Share Your Heart: Don't wait. Speak your testimony now with your children, grandchildren, trusted friends, and loved ones.
[Button: Download the Will & Testament Guide (PDF)]
Reflection & Support
Questions for Reflection:
Who provided for the Church that has cared for me?
What values do I want to hand on to the next generation?
What would I want my loved ones to know about my faith?
How does my generosity today testify to my trust in God?
A Pastoral Note:
This exercise may awaken a variety of emotions—perhaps joy and relief, but also potentially regret or grief. Please know that you do not have to navigate these reflections alone. A priest is available to pray through this work with you, listen to your story, and bless the legacy you are preparing to offer back to God.