Most Christians want to be generous. But wanting to give and actually following through are two different things.
With so many worthy causes, competing needs, and financial decisions to consider, even the best intentions can become overwhelming. Without a plan, our giving can become reactive rather than purposeful, driven more by the requests we receive than by a thoughtful understanding of how God has entrusted us to steward His resources.
So, how can we move from good intentions to meaningful action?
Kendra VanderMeulen, CEO of the National Christian Foundation (NCF), joined the show today to discuss how developing a thoughtful giving strategy can help Christians become more intentional, generous stewards.
For more than four decades, NCF has helped believers put their generosity into action, facilitating more than $25 billion in grants to over 100,000 churches and charitable organizations.
Start With a Biblical Foundation
According to VanderMeulen, one of the greatest obstacles to intentional generosity is simply the number of decisions involved.
What should we give? How much? When? And to whom?
Without a clear strategy, these questions can leave us feeling overwhelmed. Instead of giving with confidence and purpose, we may respond to requests as they arise, unsure when to say yes or no.
The solution begins with Scripture. Proverbs 3:9 says, "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce."
Generosity isn't merely a financial transaction. It's an expression of worship and a recognition that everything we possess ultimately belongs to God.
VanderMeulen encourages Christians to begin by considering the causes and needs that stir their hearts. What brings you joy? What breaks your heart? Where do you see opportunities to participate in the work God is doing?
From there, consider the resources God has placed in your hands and how you might use them to serve others. And remember, developing a giving strategy doesn't have to happen overnight. The goal isn't perfection. It's taking one faithful step at a time toward greater intentionality.
Look Beyond Your Checkbook
When most people think about charitable giving, they picture writing a check or making an online donation. But cash represents only a portion of the resources many households possess.
VanderMeulen highlights an important distinction: Roughly 90% of charitable giving comes from cash, even though approximately 90% of wealth is held in other forms. That means some of the greatest opportunities for generosity may be found outside our checking and savings accounts.
Non-cash assets that may be suitable for charitable giving include appreciated stocks, bonds, real estate, privately held businesses, and other investments.
Families can sometimes donate these assets directly to charitable organizations or donor-advised funds, potentially giving more efficiently while supporting causes they care about.
For Christians who have spent decades building a business, investing, or accumulating other assets, this opens the door to thinking about generosity in entirely new ways. Instead of asking only how much they can give from their income, they can consider how the wealth entrusted to them might bless others.
Why Timing Matters When Giving Appreciated Assets
One of the most important principles in asset-based giving is to consider generosity before a major financial transaction.
For example, someone preparing to sell a business, investment property, or appreciated securities may have an opportunity to structure a charitable gift before the sale takes place.
Depending on the circumstances, donating an appreciated asset before selling it may reduce certain tax liabilities and increase the amount ultimately available for charitable purposes. However, these strategies require careful planning.
The asset type, transaction timing, and applicable tax rules all affect what's possible. That's why VanderMeulen emphasizes involving qualified tax professionals, financial advisors, and charitable planning specialists early in the process.
For business owners, the conversation may also need to include family members and other stakeholders.
A business sale affects more than the owner's finances. Employees, customers, family members, and future generations may all be impacted. Thoughtful planning can help ensure that both the business transition and charitable intentions are handled responsibly.
The earlier these conversations begin, the more opportunities there may be to align the transaction with the family's broader financial and generosity goals.
This is especially important as year-end approaches. While some charitable gifts can be completed relatively quickly, gifts involving real estate, businesses, or other complex assets often require additional time and documentation.
How a Donor-Advised Fund Can Simplify Giving
Another tool for intentional generosity is a donor-advised fund (DAF), which NCF calls a Giving Fund.
A donor-advised fund allows someone to contribute assets to a sponsoring charitable organization, potentially receive a tax deduction for an eligible contribution, and recommend grants to qualified charities over time.
One of its greatest benefits is that it separates the timing of a charitable contribution from the timing of the eventual grants.
For example, a family may want to make a substantial charitable contribution in the same year it sells a business. But that doesn't mean the family has to decide immediately which ministries will receive the money.
A donor-advised fund lets you make the contribution first and then prayerfully decide where and when to recommend grants. NCF describes this approach in three simple steps:
- Give: Contribute cash or other eligible assets to a Giving Fund.
- Grow: Choose from available investment options, including faith-aligned investments, so the fund's assets can grow over time.
- Grant: Recommend distributions to qualified charitable organizations according to your giving priorities.
As VanderMeulen explains, this structure can be particularly helpful for complex assets. It allows donors and their advisors to focus first on completing the contribution and addressing the relevant financial and tax considerations. Then, with those decisions behind them, families can devote more attention to the ministries and causes they hope to support.
There are practical benefits, too. A donor-advised fund can simplify recordkeeping by providing consolidated contribution documentation, rather than requiring donors to track receipts from numerous charities.
It's also important to understand that contributions to a donor-advised fund are irrevocable. Although donors can recommend grants, the sponsoring organization retains legal control over the assets and must approve distributions.
Don't Let Planning Replace Generosity
While charitable planning can make giving more effective, it's important to distinguish between preparing to give and actually giving.
A giving strategy isn't simply about accumulating charitable assets or maximizing tax advantages. It's to put the resources God has entrusted to us to work in loving and serving others.
A donor-advised fund can provide valuable flexibility, but it should also encourage thoughtful action. Money set aside for charity can only support churches, ministries, and people in need when grants are actually made.
This principle extends beyond donor-advised funds. Whether we give from a paycheck, donate appreciated investments, or develop a long-term generosity plan, our intentions should ultimately lead to action. And that brings us back to the heart of biblical stewardship.
Generosity isn't measured merely by the size of our gifts or the sophistication of our financial strategies. It's about faithfully managing what belongs to God and responding with wisdom, gratitude, and love to opportunities to serve others.
A thoughtful giving plan can help us do exactly that—moving beyond good intentions toward generosity that reflects what matters most.
To learn more about asset-based giving and donor-advised funds through the National Christian Foundation (NCF), visit FaithFi.com/NCF.
On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:
- I’m 65 and plan to sell my home and move closer to family, but the proceeds may not fully cover my next home. Should I withdraw about $100,000 from my rollover IRA to avoid a 7% mortgage, and how should I factor in the taxes?
- I’m 64 and plan to retire at 65. Can I use TurboTax to determine how much to convert to a Roth IRA, and should I convert from my traditional IRA or 401(k)?
Resources Mentioned:
Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.
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