There are many ways to approach financial planning and estate planning, but the one I believe in most is stewardship. Everything I own belongs to God, which means I should hold it with an open hand. That does not mean that everything God has given to me should be used for charity or for a formal ministry, but it does mean that everything I have is His and that is should further some goal which is Biblically sound, such as family harmony or unity. It means I should take care of those individuals God has placed in my way. The implications which follow are that God can take whatever He wants whenever He wants. Every spending decision is a spiritual decision. And that stewardship cannot be faked.
Money is a God-given resource to accomplish real life goals and real life objectives. Build the family unit by spending on family vacations. Build romance between spouses by purchasing flowers. Give your children and grandchildren lessons so they can develop a talent to use for God’s glory. Give your children an education so they can use it to serve God. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes because your security is in God, not possessions. God has given you the Holy Spirit to guide you in making spending decisions so you have the wisdom to be obedient to His Will.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33.
Qualified Income Trusts (also known as Miller Trusts or a QIT) are necessary when the…
Trusts, like everyone else, pay taxes when they earn income or sell capital assets for…
People often visit us and ask about using a trust to protect assets in the…
Last year we wrote about qualified longevity annuity contracts, sometimes referred to as QLACs. On…
People regularly ask us whether they should use a trust to protect assets in case…
We haven't posted much lately because we've been busier than a one-armed paper-hanger, but we…