Planned Giving: An Administrator’s Perspective

By Maurice McCaney | Fortify Foundation Board,  Director at Large

When most people encounter a person in need of assistance, particularly financial assistance, the person’s natural inclination is a desire to help in whatever way they can.  Those who desire to assist are usually unsure as to how they can help and to what degree their support will actually benefit the person in need.  In the world of Christian ministry, this desire to aid is no different and is very much present among Believers, but the Believer is still faced with the same questions of not only “how” to help and “what” form of help to provide, but also faces the question of “who” to help. As an administrator of a Christian school, I often encounterChristians who ask me these questions. I would like to share with you the advice and suggestions that I provide from the perspective of a Christian ministry and the thought process of the Believer who desires to assist.

My parents were always committed Christians who were very involved in the church we attended; however, my parents also knew that God had called them to serve Him in a deeper walk of faith. In 1991, this deeper walk of faith led my parents to begin a church ministry that would oversee and support a Christian school. About ten years ago, I became the Chancellor of that school and continued to forge the path of Christian education. Over that time, I had experienced firsthand the power of God moving and providing for our ministries as only He can. I always marveled at how God would provide faithful servants to give to our ministries at the exact time of need. I have never forgotten those moments and share them with anyone who has questions about giving to our ministries, as I believe those testimonies edify the Body and increase our faith. The ever-uncertain economic times often are used by the enemy to cause us to doubt God and His sovereign will for our lives and our ministries, but we must always remember that as we submit to Him, we allow His will to be done, and HE will provide!

WHY
The first question that usually arises when discussing planned giving is “why planned giving”.  As an administrator, planned giving allows me the ability to more efficiently manage the finances of our ministries and to be a better steward of what God provides to our ministries. Budgeting is often a scary term, but budgeting is absolutely necessary to ensuring that the testimony of our ministries remains in keeping with God’s Word. As a giver, planned giving also helps the giver in maintaining Biblically sound financial standing. The giver and the recipient can partner together to further the Kingdom purpose of seeking the lost through the spread of the Gospel.

I caution all Believers to seek their hearts as to the motive behind their giving. Matthew 6:1-4 provides Jesus’ message and warning of giving. Jesus warns that those who seek to give for the praise and admiration of men “have their reward” (vs. 3), but He encourages us to seek the reward that comes from the Father (vs. 4). We often see those who give in order to obtain the recognition and praise of others or for some other benefit (e.g., tax benefits). As an administrator, I must always be wary of seeking a solution to the present need and always remember that as I am faithful, He never fails. We must always evaluate our actions to ensure that the true motivation is to allow Jesus to draw all men unto Himself.

Planned giving can also be an answer to the prayer of an administrator like me. So often over the years of our ministry I recall my parents asking my brother and I to pray for the needs of the ministry, only to learn later that God had used a faithful Believer to meet those needs, a Believer who, more often than not, had no direct connection to our ministries.  These miraculous moves of God bless not only the recipient, but also the giver. Knowing that your giving further Kingdom purposes is a tremendous faith builder! Both can rejoice knowing that their faithfulness and obedience were part of God’s plan.

WHAT
The second question related to planned giving is “what should I give”.  The “what to give” is a subject that, like so many others, that requires the Believer to lean on sound Biblical doctrine for guidance. The most obvious answer to this question is the giving of money, but, while the most obvious, this answer may not completely or correctly address the need of the planned recipient. For instance, financial assistance may not be the answer for a ministry in need of more employees.

Our ministry often teaches about the Three T’s: time, talent, tithes. We often underestimate the importance of offering our time and talents to Christian ministries. Many ministries are extremely blessed by those who provide services for which money cannot purchase. Additionally, many Believers have other assets which could be a blessing to ministries in need:  clothing, vehicles, investments, real property, professional services, etc. Consult with others who have given to ministries to determine how they may have utilized their other assets to aid ministries and consult with accounting and legal professionals to determine how your assets may be transferred to or used by ministries. We should not limit what the Creator can do with what we have, as I am certain we all remember the young lad who willing gave of what little he had and how our Lord used little to reach many.

HOW/WHEN
A less obvious question about planned giving is “how do I plan my gift”.  We can all relate to planning for vacations. We create a budget (or should), choose a destination, choose dates, determine mode of transportation, and wait in anticipation to enjoy. Similarly, planned giving requires just that, a plan. Budgeting again rears its ugly head, but any advice that omits financial planning is not only foolish, but most importantly contradicts Biblical principles. Again, budgeting allows the giver and the recipient to both operate in God’s will. Always remember that anything given is to be done willingly and cheerfully (II Corinthians 9:7). My fellow administrators will attest that being able to budget based upon known sources of income is extremely helpful in determining the best use of potentially limited funding.

The “when do I give” often accompanies the “how” question. For the giver, the “when” may coincide with an anticipatedemployment bonus or an investment that has matured. Many businesses are often encouraged to plan charitable giving at certain times of the year, often for tax purposes.  Fortify Foundation is an excellent resource to assist with the “how” and “when” of planned giving. For school ministries I have found that the summer months tend to be the times when I am completing specific plans for the upcoming academic year. Many scholarships may have already been awarded, however, there are still students whose parents require assistance to attend private Christian schools. Knowing that planned gifts are soon to arrive really provides me with more opportunities to impact more students. Contact your planned recipient to determine if planned giving at specific times of the year would benefit them.

 WHO
Without a doubt, the “who” of planned giving is perhaps the most important question. If you have been prayerfully considering planned giving and have adhered to Biblical principles thus far, please ensure you do not waste your efforts by haphazardly selecting a recipient of your giving. DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!  Jesus warns us in Matthew 7:15-23 that we should observe the fruit of every tree. We can all recall certain high-profile stories of individuals and organizations who named the name of Jesus Christ only to be found to have either distorted the Truth of the Gospel for their own gain or to not have been among us. The testimonies of those who gave to those individuals and organizations are heart-wrenching, but also serve as a lesson to all that we must be good stewards not only of what we have, but also of what we give. God knows the desires of our hearts, so seek Him when deciding whom He wants you to bless. Again, Fortify Foundation is an excellent resource to assist you in your planting.

God has shown me over the years that He is always faithful and that He always has a faithful servant ready to be used by Him. Planned giving is another tool God can use to bless not only the giver, but the recipient. When we give, we must have the motivation to please Him and to further His Kingdom, we must utilize sound Biblical principles to determine what we can give to bless Christian ministries, we must formulate plans that do not violate those Biblical principles, we must give in His timing to best benefit the recipient of our gifts, and we must choose recipients bearing good fruit.  I encourage you to seek God when you consider planned giving because your giving can be an answer to the prayers of those like me.

“Did you know? Roughly 10% of American’s assets are in the form of cash? Planned gifts consist of the largest donations to nonprofits.”
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