What Will Last? A Famous Missionary’s Bequest His commitment to service was convincing enough evidence of his faith, but
STEVE NICHOLS ARP Foundation
C
.T. Studd maintains well- deserved recognition in the British missionary hall of
fame. As a young man attending an elite boarding school, he converted to Christianity in 1878. Studd’s family wealth afforded him the opportunity to continue his prestigious education at Cambridge. To add to his stature, C.T. became an intensively competi- tive Cricket player. But six years af- ter his conversion when his younger brother became seriously ill, Studd came to grips with his untried faith as he considered what had real, eternal value. He said, “What is all the fame and flattery worth ... when a man comes to face eternity? I know that cricket would not last, and honour would not last, and nothing in this world would last, but it was worth- while living for the world to come.” It was then that Studd commit-
ted his life to furthering the Gospel, compelled by his faith to sacrifice a life of comfortable affluence to become a foreign missionary. He, along with six other young men known as the “Cambridge Seven,” volunteered to serve in the now leg- endary China Inland Mission found- ed by Hudson Taylor.
Stewardship Resources for the Kingdom September/October 2019 13
giving away his substantial inheritance proved he believed that living by faith meant God would provide for his needs as a believer; while in China, he gave away his inheritance of £29,000 ($3.7 million in today’s dollars) all to front-line ministry efforts including George Müller’s work with orphans. Studd’s practical trust in God’s Providence for personal finances raises a compelling question for every Christian planning for the future: If God is owner of all (and we believe He is; see Psalm 24) and gives men the power to get wealth (and he does; see Deut. 8) what does He want us to do with the treasure He has entrusted to us? At a very concrete level, what do we need to do so that He says to us as He does in Matt. 25, “Well done my good and faithful servant, enter My rest”? It’s an important question, but not an easy one to answer. The ARP Founda-
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
from a poem by C.T. Studd
tion can help guide you through a professional process to consider how to give the right assets and to provide for the people and institutions you love the most. ARP Foundation services are available at no cost to help meet family goals, re- duce, or eliminate taxes, and support your favorite ministries. Visit our website at
theARPFoundation.org or call us at 864-232-8297 to explore gift possibilities or bequests in your will to strengthen the ministries of your choosing.?
ARP Foundation
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