
Gift Planning Article: Sharing Your Hope With a Christian Preamble
If we live long enough, we will find ourselves resenting change, at least in some ways. We must adjust as loved ones are called home to Jesus, no longer by our side in this earthly life. Institutions that were dependable are long since gone. Social graces and signs of respect we learned as children may no longer be present.
Change is inevitable here on earth. Part of the reason for this is that we live in a world that bears the curse of our sin. That curse will remain until our Heavenly Father brings about the new heavens and the new earth, through His powerful Word, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Some change is great! A vaccine for polio changed fear of disease to confidence to live life again. Technology gives us access to speedy information and entertainment we could never have dreamed.
But much change bears the stain of decay. That is the kind of change that causes us to hurt and grieve. Yet with all Christian grief, we do not grieve without hope. We have our Lord Jesus Christ who is going to give us our place that He has prepared for us.
Wouldn’t it be great to put down into words that hope that resides in your soul? The Spirit has used the Word to call you to faith and now you have something very special to share. You can share that as a preamble to your Last Will and Testament, or as a family blessing apart from your legal documents. Creating this message is your way to make sure that your children or their children know exactly what you have believed, and they receive the charge from you to continue in that faith from generation to generation. This can be a great encouragement, especially in these times of rapid change. Your LCMS Gift Planning Counselor can help you get started on creating this gift to your family and friends. Contact Craig Stirtz at 402-616-0312 or craig.stirtz@lfnd.org
Gift Planning Article: Provisions, Protection and Providence
Gift Planning Newsletter Article
For Gift Planning Counselors and Associates
Provisions, Protection and Providence
During life, people who care and are conscientious provide for their lives and for their children. During life, people instinctually protect those whom they love and the values they hold true. During life, all people live under the providence of a God who creates and sustains life. For people of faith, this providence extends into eternity under the saving grace of Jesus, God’s only Son.
God’s Word speaks about this inheritance that we have been given. God informs us in 1 Peter 1:4-5 that we are given “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power is being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
If we are to live in the provision, protection and providence of our faith, it is consistent with these values that we also prepare for the time when our earthly lives will transition to a new life in the presence of Christ.
Christian stewards will be intentional about making sure that their estate plans give the provisions that are appropriate to loved ones so that they will be blessed. Stewards will certainly want to protect not only the property they manage but also the people and charitable beneficiaries who will receive it. Our motivation for this planning is a recognition of the providence of God for the benefit of His children during life and beyond.
If you would like to review your own plan to make generous provision in a way that protects blessings and honors God’s providence, let us know. We would be pleased to help you develop you own lifetime plan for giving to bless the people you love and the ministries you care about.
For information on Gift Planning, call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Gift Planning Article: Blending Family and Ministry Priorities
February 2017: Gift Planning Newsletter Article
For Gift Planning Counselors and Associates
Blending Family and Ministry Priorities
Personal priorities are often closely linked to family concerns. For Christians, spiritual precedence binds the importance of values we consider significant. Such unification combines the primacy of family and ministry motivations.
Throughout life, such priorities tend to show up in our actions. Whether laden with mistakes, or framed by good works, the priorities of our lives will be made known in the fruits that result from those actions.
God’s Word clearly brings family and ministry priorities together on the same road. We don’t need to look any further than the Ten Commandments to see ample evidence of this. It begins with the top priority – love for God, and moves to the second priority – love for our fellow man. All societies in history build on the foundational layer of family as the footing for humanity.
The beginning of a new year is an excellent time to encourage all parents with children to put in place or review their last will and testament that blends the spiritual priorities of family and ministry life. This is done using Christian preambles, charitable bequests and appropriate gifts to family members that will serve to bless and not curse them.
Parents with minor children will find it especially important to establish a minor’s trust to protect dependent children and to manage property or nominate Christian guardians who can be trustworthy in continuing consistent parental values.
Stewarding all of life includes managing risks that surround us during the days God gives. Preparing a Christian estate and gift plan should reflect a person’s priorities and merge family and ministry goals. If you haven’t completed your plan or updated it recently, you can give witness to your priorities for family and ministry by resolving to start, with our help, in the year of our Lord, 2017.
For information on Gift Planning, call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Gift Planning Newsletter Article for New Year
Newness
It’s the time of year when people’s frame of mind to start again is prevalent. A new year heightens the sense of hope that things will be different, things will be new.
God established the Jubilee laws in Israel’s early history. This provided a time when all things would be made NEW again. In the Lord’s appointed time, slaves were set free, debts were forgiven and land was restored to the original family. The land was to sit fallow for a year to regenerate. All people would be amply provided for. God wanted His people to remember that freedom, liberation and abundant newness is God’s desire!
Newness encourages accomplishment and overcomes despair. Newness causes excitement. Newness is discovered when new responsibilities are given with confidence in one’s ability to handle them.
We are all born with our fists’ clenched. This grasp reflex is a first sign of vitality that doctors identify in a newborn. Sadly, natural sin causes that criterion of health to enslave us as we navigate life. Never certain if we might need it all, we gather and accumulate wealth until we die. Luther once noted that, “The desire for riches stays glued to our nature all the way to the grave.” Most don’t even think about, much less plan, to transfer these blessings.
Yet, as God brings a sense of Jubilee to His people, so He also creates an understanding that, ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation . . .’ (2 Cor. 5:17). Faith recognizes that the Jubliee has been ours throughout our whole life . . . that “the old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” For information on Gift Planning, call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Gift Planning Newsletter Article: Generosity In Your Own Words
For Gift Planning Counselors and Associates
Generosity in Your Own Words
How did you learn about being generous? Was it your parents who taught you or did you learn it by experience? Did you know that generosity is a gift from the Holy Spirit?
The Apostle Paul references it in his epistle to the Romans, chapter 12. He dictates these words from God, starting with verse 6. “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.” Verse 7c informs us that “the one who contributes, should do so in generosity.”
Generosity is a gift of the Spirit of God and we are to practice it. Whether you learned from a model or not, generosity is a gift that God gives to His Church for our own good and for the good of others.
However you express your generosity, if you had to put it into words, what would you write or say? What would you tell others?
Actions of generosity often speak for themselves. There is another gift that is associated with generosity. In Romans 12:8a God’s Word tells us about the benefit of exhortation (encouragement) in generosity. Putting generosity in your own words helps accomplish this encouragement that often, if not always, precedes God’s gift of generosity in others.
Have you talked with your family or friends about generosity? This is not to suggest that you brag about it but rather that you ‘encourage’ or ‘exhort’ those under your care or influence to hear your own witness.
For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Romans 12: 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: . . . 8the one who (encourages) exhorts, in his (encouragement) exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal . . .
Gift Planning Newsletter Article: Many Reasons to Give
For Gift Planning Counselors and Associates
Many Reasons to Give – Many Options for Giving
When two people fall in love and become one in the holy union of marriage, they typically share all that is to come, including material wealth. Most couples hold wealth in joint ownership. A few with considerable property might plan to separate assets in order to conserve taxes or maintain administrative protection. Yet in most cases, people commingle their property because it reflects their attachment and commitment to each other.
There also exists an emotional attachment, especially in connection with “objects of our bounty.” Generosity and giving are natural expressions that communicate the message, “I love you. You belong to me.” Giving can flow both during life and after.
Those who hear the Call of God’s Love through faith, have similar connections that often transcend human ties. For some, generosity steeps up from the conviction that all that they have is a gift. For others, the desire to share and give comes from deep within the heart. Sadly, decisions to act on such aspirations often don’t get made because of a lack of knowing how to proceed or the resolve to get started.
All of us have more options to structure gifts than is often understood. A relevant question to ask is, “What is the most effective way to give in each circumstance?” Answering this question often requires advisors who understand methods and vehicles that govern economic, tax and legal processes. But we find that many people don’t discuss this with their professional advisors. This means they may miss the best ways to match their generous intent with the optimal charitable vehicle.
Have you ever thought about seeking spiritual counsel on these gifting issues as a part of the process? Charitable advisors can help you align your hopes for blessing others with the most effective financial strategy for your particular situation.
For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Gift Planning Bulletin Sentences: Advent
Bulletin Sentence- 1st Week
December is a month of giving. Your estate plan is a way for you to plan gifts, too. Your estate plans can leave the gift of hope to those who survive here on earth after you. Your hope is Jesus and the eternal life He has given you. Integrate that hope into the words of all your estate documents. Your LCMS Gift Planning Counselor can help. Contact Craig Stirtz at 402-616-0312 or craig.stirtz@lfnd.org
Bulletin Sentence- 2nd Week
December is a month of giving. Your estate plan is a way for you to plan gifts, too. Planning those estate gifts can provide opportunity to give the gift of peace, reconciling with family or friends with whom you have become estranged. Planning a gift for them can point to the greatest gift, the gift of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Get started on your “peace gifting” today. Your LCMS Gift Planning Counselor can help. Contact Craig Stirtz at 402-616-0312 or craig.stirtz@lfnd.org
Bulletin Sentence- 3rd Week
December is a month of giving. Your estate plan is a way for you to plan gifts, too. When we mark our days on earth, we are often very linear, thinking of a beginning and an end. However, in Jesus, whose birth into our flesh we celebrate this week, there is no end. That gives us the ability to think of our days with joy and to pass on that joy through our estate plans. The gifts you plan for family and ministry will certainly warm many hearts with joy. Your LCMS Gift Planning Counselor can help. Contact Craig Stirtz at 402-616-0312 or craig.stirtz@lfnd.org
Bulletin Sentence- 4th Week
December is a month of giving. Your estate plan is a way for you to plan gifts, too. All gifts, given by faith, are acts of love, expressing our life in Jesus Christ. Why would your estate contain both gifts to family and gifts for ministry? It is because you love people and want them to know the true life of Jesus. Your LCMS Gift Planning Counselor can help. Contact Craig Stirtz at 402-616-0312 or craig.stirtz@lfnd.org
Gift Planning Bulletin Sentences: Provisions, Protection and Providence
Bulletin Sentence- 1st Week
A Christian Preamble in your will or trust conveys your faith in Christ and the certainty of eternal life. This witness leaves comfort for loved ones. For information on Gift Planning, call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 2nd Week
A bequest in one’s will is a simple way that people establish legacy gifts to the ministries they love. Have you remembered the Lord’s work in planning your bequest? For information on Gift Planning, call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 3rd Week
When generous stewards name multiple ministries in their gift plan, they can use LCMS Foundation Letters of Direction or Gift Letters to designate recipients for maximum flexibility. For information on Gift Planning, call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 4th Week
Durable Powers of Attorney contain general powers authorizing another to make decisions when you are no longer able. Charitable Powers are specific powers used to continue charitable giving. For information on Gift Planning, call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Gift Planning Bulletin Sentences: Blending Family and Ministry Priorities
Bulletin Sentence- 1st Week
The impact of charitable planning is twofold. For family, it validates faith based values for those who follow. For you, it redeploys taxable assets for tax-free ministry use. For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 2nd Week
Protecting minor children with an estate plan that witnesses’ faith, defines management decisions and minimizes court involvement enables parents to bless and conserve for children. For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 3rd Week
Charitable Gift Annuities offer an arrangement for generous seniors to contribute a tax deductible gift that increases fixed income for life(s) and leaves a gift to ministry at death. For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 4th Week
Gifting Savings Bonds through a last will and testament is a thoughtful way to give assets to favorite ministries that otherwise would generate taxable income. For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Gift Planning Bulletin Sentences: Newness / A New Year
Bulletin Sentence- 1st Week
Christian believers know that their salvation is secured by Christ, the firstfruit of God’s Creation. Our monetary gifts strengthen mission and are an investment in producing fruits of faith. For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 2nd Week
Charitable IRA Beneficiaries are tax exempt entities that don’t have to pay income taxes normally required from recipients of IRA assets left behind when the owner goes to heaven. For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 3rd Week
Charitable Gifts in Wills and Trusts share blessings of a lifetime to accomplish the Great Commission. Remembering beloved ministries is a witness of your faith to your family. For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 4th Week
Helping believers Transfer the Blessings is a ministry offered by many congregations to its members. Being faithful in this end-of-life transfer is an integral part of our Christian stewardship. For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 5th Week
A ‘Lifetime Plan for Giving’ that provides for family while remembering ministry provides peace of mind, a witness to one’s faith and thoughtful intent to honor God. For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Gift Planning Bulletin Sentences: Year End
Bulletin Sentence- 1st Week
IRA Charitable Rollovers provide an annual opportunity for stewards over 70 ½ to make gifts from their IRAs directly to ministry with no income taxes due on rolled over funds. For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 2nd Week
Assigning life insurance gifts present tax beneficial options to benefit ministry. One is to contribute policies with cash value. Donors can leverage larger future life insurance gifts with discounted premium payments. For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 3rd Week
Gratitude motivates generosity in everyone. Attitudes vary however. God’s love, doing the right thing or recognizing personal impact drives all giving decisions. Which factor drives you? For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 4th Week
Christmas is the celebration of God’s plan to Transfer the Blessings of eternal Love to us. May we, as God’s children, mirror such love for family and ministry. For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Gift Planning Bulletin Sentences: Year End is Near
Bulletin Sentence- 1st Week
Planning charitable gifts from real estate transactions is effective for lowering taxes, retaining income and blessing others, whether the whole or a portion is given. For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 2nd Week
Year end gifts of appreciated assets are an effective way to give charitably. These assets create optimal tax savings and increased economic value. For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 3rd Week
IRA beneficiary transfers to ministry give stewards the opportunity to plan gifts while eliminating taxation. IRA rollovers enable tax-free gifting during life for stewards over 70. For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 4th Week
Transfer the Blessings: Giving thanks shows our appreciation for blessings we’ve received. Passing on those blessings assigns our gratitude to people and ministries that we love. For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Gift Planning Bulletin Sentences: Stewardship Values
Bulletin Sentence- 1st Week
A Donor Advised Fund is an excellent way to pass on your stewardship values to your children. Together, your family determines the amounts and timing of gifts to ministry.
For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 2nd Week
Have you thought about writing your ‘Legacy Letter’? This letter communicates your hopes and dreams for loved ones. It explains how your faith and generosity are interconnected. For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 3rd Week
Want to benefit family, support ministry, and reduce taxes when selling an appreciated asset? You can! Find out what a “split interest” agreement is. For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence- 4th Week
Charitable business succession planning can produce attractive economic benefits for the business owner. But it takes planning that is started early in the process. We can help! For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.
Bulletin Sentence– 5th Week
Teaching children to be generous promises them joy in life! Discover how others have encouraged generosity in the people they love while supporting ministries they care about. We can help! For additional information call 402-643-2961, ext. 1002.