The Law of Trusts
A young man stood in the courtroom ready to be sentenced for his conviction of forgery. The judge who sat before him was well acquainted with him. The judge had known him since he was a young boy. This young man's father had been a lawyer. He was a famous man known especially well to the judge because of his literary work. He had produced the most exhaustive resource on the Law of Trusts.
The judge spoke to the young man before sentencing. "Do you remember your father whom you are disgracing today?" The young man promptly responded, "Yes. I remember him perfectly. When I went to him for advice or just to be with him, he would look up from his book on the Law of Trusts and say, 'Run away, boy. I am busy.' My father finished his book and here I stand."
This son really had no excuse for his illegal behavior. But, neither did his father deserve a clear conscience concerning his actions. The Law of Trusts is very important. Not the book that is read and used by lawyers, but that which places a child in the care of a father. Every child has the right to have a father in whom to place his trust expecting it to be well founded. There are no perfect fathers.
The Law of Trusts is “the body of law regulating the legal instrument for holding wealth.” (Wikipedia). That trust is held for distribution after the passing of the individual setting up the trust. Spiritually-speaking, fathers are responsible for setting up the law of trusts for their children going forward. They are standing in the gap for them into the future.
How do fathers stand in the gap for their children? What are the terms of the law of trusts? Here are a few of the “laws” that fathers should set up in trust for their children.
Live up to your potential (Proverbs 31).
Take responsibility for yourself (Proverbs 9:12).
Be concerned about your reputation (Proverbs 22:1).
Learn the value of work (Proverbs 6:6-11; 10:5; 12:11; 13:11).
Be wise (Proverbs 10:1; 15:20; 29:3).
Raise a good family (Proverbs 17:6).
There are plenty fathers of whom it can be said, "He follows the Law of Trusts." To those: Happy Father's Day!! To those who are yet to enter that most valuable place in life, learn how to follow the law of trusts now so you will do well when it is your turn to step into that most important responsibility.
-Mike Johnson
