Between 2025 and 2045, approximately $100 trillion will generationally transfer from the Greatest Generation ($20T) and Boomer Generation ($80T). As of today, less than $20 trillion is earmarked for charity.
This means roughly $80 trillion is up in the air in terms of going to taxes or heirs………or, in appropriate measure, to your school. Massive estate planning opportunities exist now to see tens of trillions of dollars go to Kingdom purposes, like yours.
Wealth in America is owned on a radically disproportionate basis. 1% of Americans own 40% of America’s wealth. The next 4% own the next 20%. The remaining 95% of the population owns the same as the 1%. But, the top 5% own the vast majority of discretionary wealth i.e., significant wealth that can come your way.
Jesus looked at the widow, who stood among others, giving out of surplus, and confirmed that her two mites were a generous gift. Jesus had her heart, and He has the hearts of many of your families who give generously out of lesser means. Praise the Lord for them!
Jesus also looked at the Rich Young Ruler, who thought he had checked all the boxes for entry into the Kingdom. He told the guy in an extreme way that he needed to reallocate his wealth. The guy thought he was generous because he would tithe before he went shopping. Jesus did not have his heart. His trust was in his wealth and not in God.
Do you have information on the total wealth held by the parents and grandparents who love your school? Are you thinking about different strategies that will likely appeal to differing groups of people who you serve? You have faithful widows with just a mite to give, and they are to be honored. You also have rich young rulers and rich old rulers who Jesus can guide through the Eye of the Needle if you disciple them His way.
Fewer than 50% of Christians have updated estate plans which leave anything to the Lord’s work. The typical estate planning sequence that you can influence goes from:
- Leave it all to the kids; to
- Leave a token bequest to charity and the rest to the kids; to
- Divide the estate into one share for each child and an equal share to the Lord’s work ( now we are talking ); to
- Establish finish lines for lifestyle and long-term security with an empowering inheritance for the kids and everything else for the Lord (a great position to be in when appearing at the Pearly Gates).
We suggest you think about 1-3 financial champions serving your school and ask them to help you design and offer a free, potentially transformative event on Biblically Generous Estate Planning.
As a partner serving The Collaborative, the National Christian Foundation Twin Cities, in future editions of this Giving Guide, will continue to provide additional ideas relating to communication strategies and events for schools to consider. Individual consulting at no cost is also available through the NCF by Jay Bennett ([email protected]) and Tyler VanEps ([email protected].)