Aging is a normal process and will happen to everyone, unless someone passes away before reaching that stage. Therefore, it is common for people to make a will to promote the correct division of their assets, avoiding disputes among heirs and ensuring that they receive the portion the testator deemed fair for each one. As he grew older, the prophet Samuel seems to have thought about the future of his children; so, he appointed them as judges over Israel. However, the ministry is not inherited!

I have always believed that God is the one who should appoint those who will occupy positions in the church when we depart for Glory. Today, there is no prerogative to give them to children and family members. The opportunity is for all those faithful to the Lord. If we let Him decide who will continue His work, we will certainly be happy in every way!

The work of the Lord needs people who are fully dedicated - body and soul; thus, it will spread throughout the entire world. When we place someone close to us, without the heavenly gift to lead any sector of the church, they will be a burden difficult to bear. Whoever comes to occupy a leadership position in the house of God must have the calling for it and a lot of experience. Let us watch and pray!

I cannot judge a prophet of Samuel's caliber, so that my words do not go against his decision. However, examining the behavior of his sons, we observe that many people were harmed, and they will have to answer for it at the judgment seat of Christ (1 Samuel 8:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Current leaders should only appoint individuals capable of taking on a position within the congregation. Remember: power corrupts the weak!

Another fact to observe: the devil will tempt those in high positions to stray and fall into sin. Many will not resist temptation and will make mistakes. Those who remain clean until the end will suffer temptations, but they will not succumb to them, for they know to whom they can turn: For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4.15).

No one should desire to be something for which they were neither called nor prepared. Otherwise, you will succumb to evil and stain yourself with sin. The devil personally came to tempt Jesus with very strong proposals, but the Savior did not yield to them (Mt 4). Just like Him, those prepared to perform any ecclesiastical function will pass with flying colors. The end of Samuel's two sons was not good for them nor for the work!

May the Lord guide every father, leader in the church, to be cautious! The good father is, first and foremost, a good servant; for him, it makes no difference whether a family member or not occupies a prominent position in the work. This person must have been called by the Most-High and instructed to fulfill this important mission in leading the people of God.

           In Christ, with love,

          R. R. Soares