Unique Options

When you think about giving, do you tend to divide up what you own into four distinct pieces of a pie chart? Do you think in terms of:

– What's needed for living through your retirement years
– The reserve intended for your heirs
– An amount desired for charity
– Loss to taxes?

What if sound stewardship challenged all that?

If it all belongs to God, then we want the assets in all four areas working to produce Kingdom fruit. Our tendency is to think that only the charitable quadrant is available for God's work. Let's look at some options in each of the four areas.

Living-what do you need?

You've determined how much you need to live on for the rest of your life. Since you don't need all of those assets now-what are your options?

Of course, you can securely invest your extra assets for growth until you need them. But you can also arrange for a portion of these growing assets to:

Support ministry work in the present until you or your heirs need the assets in the future. Learn more here: Charitable Lead Trust, Reserve for Heirs
Leave these assets to charity after your use of them has ended. Learn more here: Bequests, Bank Accounts
Fund ministry now with a guaranteed percentage of supplemental income coming back to you for the rest of your life. Learn more here: Charitable Gift Annuities, Charitable Remainder Trust

Heirs – what gifts will truly benefit them?

The hardest questions are those regarding your heirs (view list of Good Stewardship questions here).

Once these questions are answered, there are several ways to insure your heirs receive your assets while also funding ministry at the same time.

Learn more about this at: Reserve for Heirs, Trusts, Donor Advised Funds, and Charitable Gift Annuities.
For insight on structuring your inheritance so that it blesses your family, we recommend you read "Splitting Heirs" by Ron Blue or "Family Money" by David Wills.

Charity – have you chosen what is best?

There is a portion of your estate that God put on your heart to give to charity. However, what part of your assets should you select?

Some gifts are better given to your heirs, such as assets without taxation. Other gifts, that are heavily taxed, may be better to give to charities. Speak with your financial advisor to determine which assets would be best to give to charity.

Taxes – how much should you pay?

We need to "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's" – but after paying proper tax on your income, you probably don't want it taxed further. Without proper planning, a significant portion of your assets could be vulnerable to further taxation.

Charitable giving can actually help you minimize taxation. Why not take advantage of the number of legal ways to take what would have been lost to further taxation and invest it in Kingdom work?

In order to maximize your tax savings and put your money to work for ministry, you'll need to consult with a professional financial advisor who shares your stewardship commitment. If you currently do not have one, we would be happy to provide you with a referral list of professional advisors for your area.

Blessings on your endeavor to steward all four quadrants well! If you would like to further discuss gift planning in any of these areas, please don't hesitate to contact our Stock Gifts Coordinator, Kathy Feruglio.