Have you heard the amazing story about the baptism of the Gauls? In his introduction to “Giving to God” author Mark Allan Powell begins with a compelling scene for Christian stewards to ponder (though Powell does concede no one knows for sure if this tale is entirely historical or part fictional).

The Gauls, Powell explains, were a warlike people who in ancient times inhabited what is now France, Switzerland, and Belgium. They spoke a Celtic language and practiced a Druidic religion noted for human sacrifice and a belief in reincarnation.

Over time, Christian missionaries went to live among the Gauls and witnessed many conversions to Christianity. As the story goes, when a converted Gallic warrior was baptized, he would hold one arm high in the air as the missionary dunked him under the water.

This peculiar custom intrigued the missionaries, and soon they discovered the reason for it. When the next battle broke out, the warrior would yell “This arm is not baptized!”, grab his weapon, and ride off to destroy his enemy.

The message of this tale is clear – everything we are and everything we have belongs under the lordship of Christ. When it comes to our finances, for example, that means all of our resources – not just our tithe – belongs to God. And if all of our resources belong to God, then we need to plan now for who will be the next steward of those resources. That’s why a growing number of ministry-minded Christians like you are creating or updating a Will. In addition to wanting to protect their families, they also want to honor God with a legacy gift to organizations such as Grace Bible College.

How can you better express God’s plan for your life? For a FREE copy of our special bulletin “Becoming the Person You Were Made To Be” write ‘Person’ and contact Steve Hilbrands from Grace Bible College at 616-538-2330or shilbrands@gbcol.edu.

This is general information and is not intended to be tax or legal advice. Please consult your own advisors.

Can you relate with comedian Billy Crystal’s speech to his son’s class in the movie City Slickers?  He makes the case that life passes by very quickly. When you’re a teenager, he explains, you think you can do anything. Your twenties are a blur. In your thirties, you raise a family, and you think, “What happened to my twenties?” In your forties, you grow a little pot belly and complain that the music is getting too loud. In your fifties, you have minor surgery (and call it a “procedure”) In your sixties, the music is still too loud, but it doesn’t matter because you can’t hear it anyway. In your seventies, you retire to Fort Lauderdale and wander around malls looking for the ultimate soft yogurt and eat dinner at 2:00 in the afternoon. In your eighties, you’ll have a major stroke, and end up babbling with some Jamaican nurse that you call mama. He ends his monologue to the bewildered class of youngsters with: “Any questions?”

Christians understand that there is so much more to life – now and later. In his book Living in the Light of Eternity, author K.P. Yohannan asks readers to examine their lives in the light of God’s Word and reflect on what will matter one hundred years from now. He concludes that knowing Christ and making a difference for the cause of Christ are the things that really matter. Most of us would say we feel a compelling need to make a difference. And this natural desire to live a life of significance leads many to think about their legacy.

How about you? What kind of legacy will you leave? An up-to-date Will is perhaps the easiest and most tangible way to have a lasting impact on the people you love. And a bequest to a ministry such as Grace Bible College can also be an effective way to not only lessen the burden of taxes on your family and on your estate, but also to make a lasting difference for the cause of Christ.

What will matter 100 years from now? For a FREE copy of our special bulletin “6 Keys to Protecting your Family’s Future” contact Steve Hilbrands from Grace Bible College at 616-538-2330 or shilbrands@gbcol.edu.

This is general information and is not intended to be tax or legal advice. Please consult your own advisors.

Would you agree with Mother Teresa that “true holiness consists in doing God’s will with a smile?”

In his best-selling book When The Game Is Over It All Goes Back In The Box, Pastor John Ortberg says, “the purpose of life is to make God smile.” And when you do that, you make others smile too. The Apostle Paul felt this when writing to his friends in Thessalonica: “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?” (1 Thessalonians 2:19)

Yes, there is great joy and even rewards as you follow Christ – but the pursuit of rewards, Pastor Ortberg observed, can break you if you go after the wrong kind. C.S. Lewis distinguished between “intrinsic” and “extrinsic” rewards. For example, if a woman wants to marry a man for his money, that’s seeking an extrinsic reward. It is selfish and ultimately will be hollow. However, if a woman marries a man for love, that too is a kind of reward – but it’s the one that properly goes with the action. Love, Ortberg concludes, always seeks the enjoyment of its object.

So what does it look like to seek the “enjoyment of the object” in everyday life? A musician masters her instrument, not for the applause of people, but for the sheer joy of music. A student studies hard for the love of learning rather than a GPA that will impress others. An employee finds deep satisfaction in a job well done rather than a larger paycheck or an envied title. And a giver contributes generously to a ministry such as Grace Bible College during and after his or her lifetime – not to be recognized or rewarded, but because the gift will please the Lord and bless others.

Want to make God smile? For a FREE copy of our special bulletin “Winning the Game that Really Counts” write ‘Winning’ on the enclosed reply card or contact Steve Hilbrands from Grace Bible College at 616-538-2330 or shilbrands@gbcol.edu.

This is general information and is not intended to be tax or legal advice. Please consult your own advisors.

The future is so hard to predict – even for so-called experts:

“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” (IBM chairman, 1943)

“The ‘telephone’ has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication.” (Western Union, 1876)

“We don’t like [the Beatles] sound, and guitar music is on the way out.” (Decca Recording Co., 1962]

“Everything that can be invented has been invented.” (Commissioner, U.S. Office of Patents, 1899)

“Who would ever want to hear actors talk?” (Warner Brothers, 1927)

Putting our trust in human wisdom (even our own) is risky. But putting our trust in Christ, and sharing the wisdom that comes from God with our children is not only wise – it’s life-changing. That’s the picture we see in Proverbs 3: “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart…let love and faithfulness never leave you…then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”

May God bless you as you share your wisdom and your wealth with your family and the ministries you love.

For a FREE copy of “Passing Your Values to the Next Generation” contact Steve Hilbrands from Grace Bible College at 616-538-2330 or by email

This is general information and is not intended to be tax or legal advice. Please consult your own advisors.

Jim has both a love for Grace Bible College and a heart for its long-term needs.

That’s why Jim and his family are considering a gift of a Life Insurance policy to benefit Grace Bible College. Gifts of Life Insurance policies are fairly simple and easy to make for those wishing to support Grace Bible College. For both new and existing policies, Grace Bible College can be named as the beneficiary.

Life Insurance policies can also have increasing value over time, as cumulative earnings on investments yield bigger benefits. In addition, there can be immediate tax benefits upon transfer of ownership of an existing Life Insurance policy.

For a FREE copy of “God’s Bonus Provision in your Life Insurance” contact Steve Hilbrands from Grace Bible College at 616-538-2330 or by email

Source: Crescendo Interactive, Inc. This illustration is general information and is not intended to be tax or legal advice. Please consult your own advisors.

This is general information and is not intended to be tax or legal advice. Please consult your own advisors.