A Lifestyle of Giving
Giving is a biblical principal that when lived by, produces a rich harvest in our lives.
Giving is not limited to simply our finances; it's a lifestyle. When we live with the spirit of giving, when we give the Lord our tithes and our offerings, when we give to those in need, when we give of our time, our love, our resources, we are sowing seeds that God will make sure blossoms into a rich harvest! Not just of financial blessings, but rich in all aspects of life. He'll make sure the right doors open, the right people come into your life, and the right breaks are received.
God desires for you to be the most blessed and most prosperous in the land, that we prosper in our homes, relationships and in health. Make sure you work with God and allow His door of favor and provision to open like a flood by putting actions to your faith through giving.
And we don't give to simply receive. The important thing is that we live with the spirit of giving. God is more concerned with the condition of your heart as you give, rather than the quantity.
It is through our giving where the greatest blessings and provision can be seen.
ASSETS YOU CAN GIVE
Charitable giving does not require great wealth. It requires generosity of spirit-the desire to share what you have for the benefit of others.
You can designate the ministry as beneficiary of your retirement assets after your death. Assets could include the following: IRA, Tax sheltered annuity, 401(k) and 403(b) plans.
Retirement assets are typically best given as beneficiary proceeds after death.
You can also make direct gifts from your distributions. To do this, you first receive and recognize the distribution for income tax purposes, and then make the gift. Your charitable deduction may offset the income that you recognize.
Under current law, to make a direct gift of your retirement assets during your lifetime you must first withdraw the assets and recognize the distribution for income tax purposes.
U.S. Savings Bonds and Annuities
You can designate the ministry as beneficiary of your retirement assets after your death. Assets could include the following: IRA, Tax sheltered annuity, 401(k) and 403(b) plans.
The government restricts the transfer of certain U.S. savings bonds. You may cash in the bonds and receive a charitable deduction for the amount of the cash gift, or bequeath the bonds in your will or living trust.
In most cases, the transfer of commercial annuities (including variable annuities) as a gift during life will result in recognition of income and possible early withdrawal penalties. Consider giving these assets as beneficiary proceeds at death.
Cash:
Giving cash is the simplest way to give. If you itemize, you may qualify for a charitable deduction. If the charitable deduction exceeds 50% of your adjusted gross income, you can carry the excess forward for up to five years.
Charitable gifts of appreciated securities, including mutual funds and bonds, may be used to establish or add to a charitable fund.
You can transfer appreciated securities. owned for more than one year to the ministry and receive a charitable deduction for the average value of the security on the date the gift is made.
You can claim a charitable deduction for the year in which the gift was made.
If the charitable deduction exceeds 30% of your adjusted gross income, you can carry the excess forward up to five years.