Again, it is our pleasure to provide another issue of the Christian Steward.

We trust that you are finding the information we share to be of interest and value, because that is our goal and desire.

We also want to be involved in your life through the newsletter. We want to help you develop a lifestyle of giving that is pleasing to God, and places you in a position to receive His riches and blessing.

We believe that blessing is often financial. But when the organizations, such as Manhattan Christian College, which receive your gifts use those gifts to bear fruit, we believe that you will receive the blessing of real joy.

In fact, this is our subject as we continue with our five steps of developing a lifestyle of giving. In past issues, we have looked at step #1, recognition that the basis of all stewardship is work; step #2, we take a percentage of that which we earn from our labors and we give it; and step #3, that gift is of the first fruits, upon the first day.

And now it's time to look at step #4.

"God is not only honored, but obligated by His word to prosper and bless the individual who follows this system."

By this system, we are referring to the fact that:

1. We earn our living by the sweat of our brow,
2. We take a percentage of that which we earn and give it, and
3. That gift is of the first fruits, upon the first day.

There are many scriptures that confirm God's desire to bless His people financially. In Proverbs 3, He promises that our barns will be full to overflowing, that our wine vats will be full with wine.

And in Malachi 3, God promises that He will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing that we cannot contain, and will keep the devourers from our crops; He will keep our vines from shaking their fruits; He will build us up to such a people that all nations will rise up and call us blessed because we are a delightful land.

There are many references in the New Testament to God's blessing. II Corinthians 8 and 9 are full of these, including, "God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things, at all times, you will have all that you need."

But probably my favorite promise pertaining to giving is found in Philippians 4:17. Paul says that he was doing God's work here on earth and people gave to him, "Not that he desired a gift, but he desired fruit that will abound to their accounts."

Yes, many of God's blessings to us are financial. But perhaps the greatest of all of His blessings is the fruit that abounds to our accounts when our gifts are used by the people who are doing God's work here on earth. The poor being fed, young people being educated, souls being saved both here and on the foreign field, all result from our developing our lifestyles of giving . . . fruit that credits to our accounts.

May we simply challenge you to accept God's promises for you, in faith, that they are true? Expect to receive; pray for and expect fruit.

In our last issue of Christian Steward, we concluded our review of property ownership. We trust we communicated with you the importance of coordinating property ownership with your will and trust agreements, to accomplish the goals and objectives of your estate plan.

In this issue, we want to look at the durable power of attorney.

The Durable Power of Attorney
The realities of life dictate that we must give consideration to who will be in a position to manage our property in case of mental or physical disability, prior to death. Relying on family members or friends to act under court-appointed guardianship, usually is not wise, as it may affect interpersonal relationships, and often unnecessary costs and restrictions are imposed.

The alternative is to grant to an individual or a bank trust department the power to manage your property in case of disability. In most states, this can be arranged through a power of attorney designed to be in effect during incompetency.

In most states, the durable power of attorney can be drafted to take effect immediately, or it can be designed to take effect at a time of incompetency. Which is best for you depends upon your individual circumstances and is a decision that should be discussed with your attorney.

It's important to note that the durable power of attorney can be a very simple document, only two or three pages in length, and is not costly.

And it is totally separate from the will. Since the will only takes effect at the time of death, it is impossible for it to manage property in case of incompetency.

Many people assume that the personal representative they have named in their will can manage their property in case of incompetency. This will not "just happen."

It's also important to note that a durable power of attorney can be drafted after the will is in existence. If you have a will and wish to have a durable power of attorney drafted, that does not mean that you will have to rewrite your will.

However, it might be a good time to review your will, when you are with your attorney discussing the durable power of attorney.

This issue is much more important than many people realize. And we would recommend that you discuss it with your attorney at your earliest convenience.

It's also important to note that a revocable living trust can be designed to manage property during periods of incompetency. For individuals with larger estates, it might be a more convenient and economical way to make this arrangement.

WHAT IS ESTATE PLANNING?
Estate planning has been defined from many perspectives, the most common being:

"The creation, conservation and utilization of estate resources, to secure the maximum benefit now, during disability, and at retirement," and "The best way to pass the estate to family members, charitable organizations, and others, during life and at death, with minimum shrinkage caused by taxes and inflation."

But for the Christian, there is another dimension. What is God's plan of stewardship for my estate? The recognition of God as owner of our estates places us in responsible positions as stewards.

As stewards, it is important that we use our estate assets to their greatest potential during our lifetimes, for our personal, family, business and charitable interests.

And at death, we must arrange for the distribution of our assets to individuals or charitable interests, who will continue to use them to reflect our Christian lifestyles. And we must do so in the most efficient and effective manner.

The Estate Distribution Process
As a good steward, it is important to thoroughly plan the distribution of your estate.

May we offer the following steps to help you begin your planning.

Step 1: Set the priorities of your estate plan.

Step 2: Become familiar with the legal terms used in estate planning, the basic rules of taxation, and the vehicles available for your use.

Step 3: Gather all the necessary and pertinent data that will be used in your estate planning process.

Step 4: Seek competent counsel for technical assistance and drafting of legal instruments.

You do not have to become an expert in estate planning. That would not be practical, because it is a very complex subject.

But your estate is a sacred trust. It has been accumulated as a result of your labors and God's blessings. Therefore, as part of your total life of stewardship, spend the necessary time to do a thorough job in planning for its distribution.

We want to help you find and understand God's plan of stewardship for your estate and put that plan into legal form so that it will be carried out. Because it is our desire that you be found worthy of the reward, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant," which I believe God has in store for you.

Our staff has designed a special Will and Trust Planning Guide that we believe will help you through these four steps of planning.

It's available, without cost or obligation, and we are certain that you will find it helpful as you begin your planning. Or, if you already have a plan that needs to be reviewed, it can help you determine whether or not your plan needs revision.

Please write for your free copy today. We want to minister to you.

THE ESTATE PLANNING TEAM
While on the subject of estate planning, we want to emphasize the importance of relying on the members of your estate planning team.

Your attorney, trust officer, investment adviser, insurance agent, and accountant all have important roles to play in fitting together the pieces of your estate plan to accomplish your desires and what you understand to be God's plan of stewardship for your estate.

Your will is the central element of your estate plan. Please keep in mind that for your will to be effective, it must be coordinated with the beneficiary arrangements of your life insurance policies, any trust you have established, property that you own in joint ownership, your retirement benefits, and any other aspects of your estate plan.

With these things to consider, it makes sense to take advantage of the special skills of each of these individuals as you design your estate plan.

For many years, we have related the term stewardship to giving. We have been told by our church and charitable organizations that to be good stewards we must be good givers.

We recently surveyed a number of individuals, asking if they related the word stewardship more closely to giving or to property ownership. Eighty-five percent associated stewardship with giving. Only fifteen percent associated it with property ownership.

But stewardship relates to property ownership. A steward is a caretaker, a trustee or custodian of someone else's property.

Our definition of stewardship is: "Using God-given ability to manage God-owned property to accomplish God-directed results."

We find, in our study of the Word, that God is the owner of all. And each of us, as individuals, wants to find God's plan of stewardship for that property that He has entrusted to us . . . especially as it relates to the distribution of property at the time of death.

Many individuals, in developing a lifestyle of giving, overlook items they possess which can be used by a charitable organization.

This is especially true of organizations that operate locally, such as your church or a city rescue mission. Many organizations have resale shops that provide important support for their ministries. Furniture, clothing, used appliances, all can be used by these agencies to benefit their ministries.

Through your local church there may be needy families who can benefit from some of your discards (or maybe even some of the nice things you have that you just don't use).

Many educational organizations can use books, many organizations need automobiles, and you should check with your missionary organization to see what you might have that can be furnished to them.

In most of the above situations, you will qualify for a charitable income tax deduction for the value of the property that you transfer.

One additional thought. Many times God does not want us just to give that which is surplus or which we are not using. Sometimes He might even want us to give up items that might be important to us, but that we can do without.

Why not take time now to ask God what you have that He wants for His kingdom.

In a recent issue of Christian Steward, we talked about personalizing your will with your statement of love to family members or your statement of faith.

Do you remember learning about Patrick Henry in history class? He was involved in the Revolutionary War and was made famous for his statement, "Give me liberty, or give me death."

There is reason to assume that Patrick Henry was also a believer in Jesus Christ, because he made a statement to that effect in his will. He told his heirs in his last testament that if he had left them nothing in terms of worldly riches, but had given them a faith in Jesus Christ, then they would be of all people most wealthy. And he added that if he had left them all the wealth in the world and had not left them a faith in Jesus Christ, they would be of all people most destitute.

If you were to die today, and two hundred years from now one of your descendants wanted to find out whether or not you were a man or woman of faith, could that fact be determined from an examination of official records and documents that you left behind?

We always welcome your questions. Write to us or call us, and let us help you with your gift and estate design needs. We want to be of service.

And please write for your free Will and Trust Planning Guide today.

© Lifestyle Giving, Inc., 1996, 2000. Printed by permission.

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