By Bill Burmeister
What happens to your “leftovers”? Are they remembered too late, in the back of the refrigerator in some storage container and discarded or do you plan ahead to include them as part of another nourishing meal? When Jesus fed the 5000, He had His disciples collect more than 12 baskets of leftovers. God wants us to use every morsel, including leftovers.
We all know what God expects and desires of us regarding our income. He asks us to give according to how we have received, with a cheerful attitude. But God has blessed all Christians with leftovers! We just can’t take them with us when we pass through the gates of Heaven. What plan have you made to take care of your leftovers?
We are the caretakers of all the gifts God has given us. As we consider the assets and possessions God allows us to care for and use, how can we be the most effective steward of these gifts, when we receive the best gift, eternal life in Heaven?
All we leave behind will go to one of three beneficiaries: our family, our government or our Lord, through ministries you can choose. Do we pass it all to our children? Do they really need the entire estate? How much is enough? Will we leave it in a lump sum, an installment distribution or
an income stream? IRAs and other tax-deferred retirement accounts passed to children will have income taxes due when withdrawals are made from these accounts. Ministry can benefit “tax free” when gifts are given from these tax-deferred accounts. Where do you want your gifts to go?
All we leave behind will go to one of three beneficiaries…Do we pass it all to our children? Do they really need the
entire estate? How much is enough?
Using legal, ethical and God-pleasing methods to transfer our residual gifts to our children and our Lord makes good Christian stewardship sense. Solid Christian estate planning gives you peace of mind while blessing your family, making a wonderful impact on your favorite ministries and can reduce the amount you pass along to Uncle Sam.
How does your estate plan reflect your current desires? Many plans come up short! Does it include a Christian Preamble and the right communication pieces? Do you have the right people in place as Personal Representative, Successor Trustee, Durable Power of Attorney or Medical Power of Attorney? Now is the time to act, get your plan in place or look at your current documents to insure they still do what you intended.
Post by Bill Burmeister of Church Extension Fund – Michigan District
800-242-3944, bill.burmeister@mi-cef.org
