How well off would a Christian friend have to NOT be in order for you to leave them a substantial inheritance amount when you die, or would it matter?
This is talking about a non-family member with no relation whatever....just a person that was always nice to you without expecting anything in return and who you think wouldn't blow the money on stupid stuff, and maybe even leave it to their own kids or spouse if they themselves died without spending it all. Would you still choose them as a beneficiary if you felt like they were already financially secure, or would become so in retirement due to their own (and/or spouses) good income? What if they were married and you know little to nothing about the spouse who they might spend the money with, or leave the money to when they die? Would that make a difference? (I have a church friend whose 18-yr husband rarely comes to church with her, and she volunteers her service all the time. I wonder if they are 'equally yoked.')
Or would you be more inclined to choose someone who seemed to be of more modest means, judging by the house they lived in, car they drove, occupation, number of kids who might benefit from their inheritance when they die if they don't spend it all, etc.
Or would you choose a 3rd option, a non-profit of some sort, before leaving it to any type of 'friend,' well off or not? Would you be afraid that the non-profit would just use the money to give their employees raises, especially when their organization's board is made up of friends that are more than willing to vote in a raise at the next possible opportunity? I don't see how there's any way to know the salaries of top management and the true needs of a non-profit who doesn't open up their books, showing specific salaries and bonuses of individuals, rather than just a total number for all salaries combined, which doesn't tell how much the founders of the non-profit are padding THEIR pockets. Yes, this concern includes churches, which I'm strongly leaning against leaving money to cause I don't trust how their powers-at-be would decide to spend it. I'd rather someone invest the money and personally benefit from it long term, themselves and/or their offspring, giving offering to the church as they so chose over time.
NOTE: This is not asking what I COULD do from a legal or moral sense. I already know what I COULD do. I'm asking what *YOU* would do given the circumstances I've listed, or other ideas I may not have thought of.
This is talking about a non-family member with no relation whatever....just a person that was always nice to you without expecting anything in return and who you think wouldn't blow the money on stupid stuff, and maybe even leave it to their own kids or spouse if they themselves died without spending it all. Would you still choose them as a beneficiary if you felt like they were already financially secure, or would become so in retirement due to their own (and/or spouses) good income? What if they were married and you know little to nothing about the spouse who they might spend the money with, or leave the money to when they die? Would that make a difference? (I have a church friend whose 18-yr husband rarely comes to church with her, and she volunteers her service all the time. I wonder if they are 'equally yoked.')
Or would you be more inclined to choose someone who seemed to be of more modest means, judging by the house they lived in, car they drove, occupation, number of kids who might benefit from their inheritance when they die if they don't spend it all, etc.
Or would you choose a 3rd option, a non-profit of some sort, before leaving it to any type of 'friend,' well off or not? Would you be afraid that the non-profit would just use the money to give their employees raises, especially when their organization's board is made up of friends that are more than willing to vote in a raise at the next possible opportunity? I don't see how there's any way to know the salaries of top management and the true needs of a non-profit who doesn't open up their books, showing specific salaries and bonuses of individuals, rather than just a total number for all salaries combined, which doesn't tell how much the founders of the non-profit are padding THEIR pockets. Yes, this concern includes churches, which I'm strongly leaning against leaving money to cause I don't trust how their powers-at-be would decide to spend it. I'd rather someone invest the money and personally benefit from it long term, themselves and/or their offspring, giving offering to the church as they so chose over time.
NOTE: This is not asking what I COULD do from a legal or moral sense. I already know what I COULD do. I'm asking what *YOU* would do given the circumstances I've listed, or other ideas I may not have thought of.
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