GET INSPIRED

Lord, the earth and everything in it is yours! (Psalm 24:1) Everything comes from you, and I have given you only what comes from your hand (1 Chronicles 29:14). You send poverty and wealth (1 Samuel 2:7). Have you not put a hedge around me and my household and everything I have? (Job 1:10)

Father, in your Word you said it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2). And so Lord, I want to honor you with my wealth (Proverbs 3:9). I know that faith, if not accompanied by action, is dead (James 2:17). But unless I respond in love, I gain nothing (1 Corinthians 13:3).  I am willing, and my heart is moved to bring an offering to you Lord (Exodus 35:21).

Lord, you’ve called me to provide for my family (1 Timothy 5:8). And to provide for those who have instructed me in your Word (Galatians 6:6). And to share with your people who are in need (Romans 12:13). And to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). And so may my service of giving to you–during and after my lifetime–supply the needs of your people and overflow in many expressions of thanks to you (2 Corinthians 9:12), so that one day I’ll hear you say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23). For it’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
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• Make provision for your loved ones. “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8 NIV)
• Take steps to avoid interpersonal conflicts. “Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,and the fool will be servant to the wise.” (Proverbs 11:29 NIV)
• Be cautious about leaving large inheritances to children. “An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.” (Proverbs 20:21 NIV)
• Don’t store up excess resources you don’t need. “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.” (Luke 12:18 NIV)
• Use family resources to reach people for Christ. “It is God Who gives seed to the man to plant. He also gives the bread to eat. Then we know He will give you more seed to plant and make it grow so you will have more to give away.” (2 Corinthians 9:10 NIV)

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Habit 1: Be thankful. “Give thanks in all circumstances…” (I Thessalonians 5:18 NIV). A steward’s heart begins with an attitude of gratitude.

Habit 2: Trust God to provide. “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God….” (1 Timothy 6:17 NIV).

Habit 3: Be content. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). Contentment isn’t “getting what you want—it’s wanting what you have.”

Habit 4: Be a faithful example. “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children.…” (Deuteronomy 6: 6-7 NIV). Our children may fail to listen, but they seldom fail to imitate us.

Habit 5: Live within your means. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13). We can live on less than we make in the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

Habit 6: Give time and talent. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10 NIV). Highly effective stewards use their time and talents to honor God.

Habit 7: Give Treasure. “Honor the Lord with your wealth….” (Proverbs 3:9 NIV). Our giving shows our loyalty to Christ – during and after our lifetimes.

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1. Get a Will. When people start adding up the value of their home, life insurance, retirement accounts, and other property, they begin to see that even with a modest middle class estate, a plan that provides for their families and the charities they love is needed.

2. Decide who will manage your stuff after you die. Without a Will, a court decides how to distribute your estate. On the other hand, when you name your own representative in your Will, you decide who will distribute the money and things entrusted to you.

3. Decide who will take care of your kids. If you have minor children, a Will allows you to name the guardian of your children and a Trustee of the assets to provide for the children. If a court is left to make these decisions for you, your spiritual values may be disregarded.

4. Include “ministry” in your family. Your Will can be powerful a testimony to family and friends. Including your extended “family” in your Will—namely your church and favorite ministries—is a wonderful way to express your values for generations to come.

2. Reduce (or eliminate) unnecessary taxes and court costs. A Will can help you reduce probate hassles and costs, avoid certain taxes, and decrease other administrative expenses—freeing up more resources to your heirs and charitable work.
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If you do not have a Will, the State has one for you. Unfortunately, that means state law would determine (without your input) who will…

• be the next steward of the resources entrusted to you
• care for your young children
• administer your estate

With a Will, you get to decide these things. In addition to making sure your immediate family is provided for in your Will, you can also bless your extended “family”—including your church and favorite ministry organizations.
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These 10 life events may signal it is time to update your Will:

1. Marriage or divorce
2. New baby, adopted children, or stepchildren
3. Moving to another state
4. Changing your mind about heirs
5. Major changes in property ownership or financial assets
6. Changes in estate planning and estate tax law.
7. Death or disability of someone named in your Will
8. Children have reached the age of 18
9. You would like to provide for ministry
10. It has been three years or more since you have reviewed your Will
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