Evangelical Alliance members Trevor and Celia Bartlett have decided to leave a legacy gift to the charity. Lizzie Thomson, supporter relations officer, finds out why.
As long-standing and committed members of the Evangelical Alliance since 1986, Trevor and Celia generously decided to support the charity through regular donations and a legacy gift. Living in the South West, Trevor and Celia have always felt comforted and reassured knowing that a Christian organisation has such an influential voice in the corridors of power, and so they chose to offer their support. Trevor says, “The Evangelical Alliance speaks in the corridors of power on behalf of all evangelical Christians, which is why we chose to put our money where its mouth is.”
Ethics is more than the study of ‘right’ versus ‘wrong’; it helps us to consider how to live a good and moral life. In a financial context, ethical living means being good stewards of all that we have, and for Trevor and Celia, requires us to “work hard, save regularly, borrow wisely and give generously”.
For 35 years, Trevor and Celia have been living by the words of Malachi 3:8 – 10. Here God challenges us to test Him by bringing our whole tithe into the storehouse, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it”. Trevor and Celia are testament to this promise. As Trevor says, “We cannot understand how we have been blessed with so much other than to say that God is true to His word, and we would highly recommend that others test Him in this too.”
"Work hard, save regularly, borrow wisely and give generously."
God gave us the ultimate gift through His son Jesus Christ (John 3:16), so when we as Christians give, it becomes an act of worship, and our giving, when carried out in a joyful, willing and sacrificial manner, is a demonstration of our love, obedience and commitment to Him who gave everything first. The Bible testifies to this. In Exodus 35:4 – 29, the Israelites worship God through giving to His work, bringing material offerings of jewellery, expensive cloths and animal skins to build the tabernacle, while in Luke 21:1 – 4 a poor widow is commended by Christ for her selfless giving.
Perhaps one of the most selfless ways we can give is to remember a charity in our will. Once we have met the needs of our family and loved ones, how many of us spare a thought for the future provision of charities that have been close to our hearts throughout our lives?
The Evangelical Alliance, like many charities, depends on legacy gifts generously left to them by supporters, with recent figures suggesting that gifts in wills are worth £2.82 billion to UK charities. Indeed, by leaving a legacy gift to the Evangelical Alliance, or another Christian organisation, you are making a tangible contribution to the work of God’s kingdom on earth as an expression of your faith.
To find out more about leaving a legacy to the Evangelical Alliance, we’d love to speak to you or send you our legacy booklet. Please contact Lizzie Thomson, supporter relations officer, for a confidential conversation on 020 7520 3856 or l.thomson@eauk.org. Or visit www.eauk.org/legacies to find out more.
