This was big news last week.
“I direct that when my dog, Trouble, dies, her remains shall be buried next to my remains in the Helmsley mausoleum. . .”
As stupid as that is, Leona Helmsley’s last will and testament actually gets worse. Running out of people to give money to, the billionaire left 12 million dollars to Trouble, her dog.
Trouble is now in legal trouble—for literally biting the hand that fed her. That wounded hand is attached to the Helmsley housekeeper, who is suing Trouble for millions.
Only in America could a dog inherit 12 million dollars, then get sued by its legal guardian, who is probably an illegal alien (that last part is pure speculation).
Here are three leadership lessons inspired by this edition of Stupid Statements:
1. Plan. You don’t have to be rich to prepare an inheritance for future generations. Proverbs 13:22 says that it is a “good” man—not a rich man—that leaves an inheritance. I am thankful that my father planned ahead, saved, and invested money when he had little—so he could leave an inheritance. He didn’t wait until he had a lot, and neither should you.
2. Patience. It’s usually better to get an inheritance latter, rather than sooner (Proverbs 20:21). Remember the younger brother, the prodigal, who got his inheritance too soon and made a mess of his life. Trouble, the prodigal dog, did the same thing.
3. People. Biblically speaking, an inheritance is for children and grandchildren—people. It is not for animals, law firms, and socialistic governments.
New post on my accidental missionary blog about some of the new Every Nation church plants around the world.