Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. (1 Tim. 6:17-18)

Monday, January 11, 2010

Millions from Heaven | Estate Giving

Pennies From Heaven was a popular song in 1936 sung by the great Bing Crosby at the height of the Great Depression. The moral of the song is that even through the difficult storms of life that we can find small blessings, pennies from Heaven. Even in today’s economic climate, though, thinking in pennies is small thinking! Millions upon millions of dollars are available to fund the vision of God’s Kingdom, even through the worst tragedy that we can experience here on earth – death.

One of the major components of a healthy financial plan is an estate plan. I don’t know about you, but I really don’t want my assets to end up in probate court with the state deciding who gets God’s assets that He has entrusted into my care. I also don’t want the state and federal governments to get a large percentage of God’s assets through estate taxes, especially when His money could have gone to better use through a faith-based institution such as my church. God wants all of us to be wise money managers while we are here on earth and even after we’ve gone on to be with Him in eternity!

So, let me ask you the following questions:

  1. Do you currently have an up-to-date will, living trust, and other life documents firmly in place for your family in the case of your untimely demise?
  2. Do these documents reflect excellent money management on your part, with the avoidance of probate court, unnecessary estate taxes, and so on?
  3. Have you set up your legal documents to pay a good percentage of your assets to your church and other charities in order to further God's Kingdom once you have gone on to be with the Lord?

Make one of your financial goals in 2010 to review your estate plan and include giving a percentage portion to your church and others in order to further God's Kingdom here on earth. Be an awesome steward of God's financial blessing in your life.



2 comments:

  1. Great reminder, Larry.

    As director of financial discipleship at my church here in Valencia, I am planning on attending a training called The Solomon Project that helps churches be more intentional in helping the congregation grow in the attitude of stewardship, including charitable giving at death.

    Keep up the great blog.

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  2. Hi, Derrick. Thanks for leaving a comment and for your encouragement. It's great to make a connection with another fellow believer doing similar church work!

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