Monday, March 18, 2013

Giving is an expression of love and gratitude





 -- “Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul…. there was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold…. and it was distributed to each as any had need.   (Acts 4:32-35 NRSV)

When my son was a toddler, he had a favorite song about all the pockets on his overalls.  Whenever he lost something, we always checked all five pockets on his bib overalls and, eventually, we’d find the missing treasure! 

If the Sunday offerings in your church aren’t quite enough to meet the ministry challenge Christ has given you, don’t give up!  Keep looking!  Have you checked all the potential pockets of income?  Our annual income is one “pocket.”  It may be that up-front pocket that’s most visible.  But, what about the other “pockets” we might check?  Have you ever considered checking the “pockets” that hold your non-cash assets when considering gifts to the church?

Did you know you can make gifts of appreciated stock to your church?  By processing gifts of stock through the Foundation Office, you can avoid paying any commission or selling fees, allowing you to make a larger gift to the church!  You also avoid paying any capital gains taxes when you use stock to make a gift.

Have you considered donating “obsolete” life insurance policies that might have been purchased long ago for a reason that no longer exists?  What a wonderful hidden treasure! 

Would you consider giving the cash saved in a Certificate of Deposit to establish a Charitable Gift Annuity?  By making a gift with a CD, you can receive a guaranteed annuity payment each year for the rest of your life.  Call our office for the current rates.

Another “pocket” often overlooked is real estate.  You can turn assets of property or stock into a Charitable Remainder Unitrust.  The trust will pay you 5-8% of the market value of the fund each year for the rest of your life.  And, the church and any other qualified non-profit charities you designate will receive a significant gift at the time of your death.  

--WI Ann Conf

God Is Still In Control!

Miss Lladale Carey
Web Content Producer
www.umcgiving.org
lcarey@umcom.org

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