Guidelines for Christian Estate Planning Part IV: Biblical Basis for Charitable Giving

on November 2, 2011 · Leave a Comment
3496683322 03cafa2fc0 m Guidelines for Christian Estate Planning Part IV: Biblical Basis for Charitable Giving
by tray

This is the fourth in a seven-part series on estate planning for the Christian.

A Christ-centered Estate Plan does not mean we leave everything to God.  In fact, our first responsibility lies with our family (see previous articles).  But after caring for our family in whatever manner God directs, we then turn to the biblical basis for charitable giving through our Last Will and Testament or Revocable Living Trust.

God Loves People-Centered Ministries

Throughout Scripture, God expresses His concern for the less fortunate of the world—widows, orphans, infirmed, elderly, poor.   The Apostle John gives a stern warning to anyone who knowingly ignores the needy.  He questions whether the love of God abides in that person at all (1 John 3:16-17).  Paul weighs in by saying “as we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).

Consider also the fact that Jesus entered this world and died in our place (John 3:16).   This demonstrates God’s deep concern for people (Romans 5:8).  Where God’s heart lies, so also should our concerns.

These important facts impact the charitable distributions of our Estate Plan. We need to consider a bequest to some organization or individual involved in telling people of Jesus or caring for the needy.  We fail to honor God if we fail to make this a prayerful consideration.  This does not mean that God requires a distribution to a Christian charity.  It means that we at least discuss with Him the possibility.  

God’s People Sustain God’s Work

Galatians 6:6 instructs us to share all “good things” with those who have ministered to us (see also Romans 15:24, 1 Corinthians 9:4, 14).  God even lists the Levites (the Old Testament religious workers) in the same category with the needy like widows, orphans and the homeless (Deuteronomy 14:29; 26:12).  God’s plan calls for His children to support those Christian ministries that have provided spiritual help during one’s life.  This includes a church, radio/television ministry, school, mission organization, etc.  Once again, the actual decision to include charitable distributions or not, and to what extent, needs to be made after prayerful consultation with the Lord.

Don’t Give Caesar What Isn’t His

Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17).  Paul builds on that by adding, “Render, therefore… tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom” (Romans 13:7).  While both taught the believer’s responsibility to pay taxes, neither advocated giving Caesar what was not due Caesar.  Every Christian has the perfect right to avoid paying as much tax as possible (not to be confused with evading taxes).  We do not have an obligation to pay more than the minimum tax required by law.

In the context of estate planning, this comes into play with an estate of significant size to subject it to estate tax (death tax).  An estate large enough to incur tax can benefit from charitable bequests because such contributions avoid taxes.  Since the parameters of estate tax seem to change yearly, check with an Estate Planning professional to determine how your estate fits into current tax law. 

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Other articles in this seven-part series, Guidelines for Christian Estate Planning:

Click here for Part I: The Biblical Basis for Estate Planning.

Click here for Part II:  Biblical Guidelines for Estate Distribution (Article part 1).

Click here for Part III:  Biblical Guidelines for Estate Distribution (Article part 2).

Click here for Part IV:  Biblical Basis for Charitable Giving.

Click here for Part V:  Guidelines for Selecting Charities.

Click here for Part VI:  The Believer and Secular Charities.

Click here for Part VII:  The Believer and the Ethical Will.

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Written by TimothyWise

default Guidelines for Christian Estate Planning Part IV: Biblical Basis for Charitable Giving

Featuring Prof. B. Howard Pearson, BS ’76 In December 2010, Congress passed legislation that determined the gift and estate tax law for 2010-12 ( million exemption, with added flexibility in 2010 for decedent’s estates). If Congress does nothing, the exemption will return to million with an increased tax rate. Will Congress ever pass a more comprehensive approach to estate and gift taxes? If so, what is it likely to be? More importantly, how should one plan estate affairs under these circumstances? Professor Pearson teaches estate planning and will lead this information session on estate planning techniques under the current law and what may change in the future.

Question by just wondering: Estate Planning?
My brother in law recently passed and his wife got a check from his insurance company and its made payable to ‘the estate of xxxx xxxxx’. He did not have his estate planned out nor did he have a will, what are her options?

Any info would be great.

Best answer:

Answer by Edward W
His wife is next of kin and is, by default, the administrator of his estate.

What do you think? Answer below!

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Your Next Door Millionaire

on October 28, 2011 · 25 Comments

Thomas Stanley and William Danko wrote this book, “The Millionaire Next Door”, back in the mid 1990′s. That is over a decade ago. But, the book is even more relevant today than back in the 90′s. This is one financial planning and financial perspective book that should be read by everyone especially the up and coming generation.

Our society is a society of consumers and consumption. There is definitely a misconception on wealth and how wealth is accumulated in America. Money is not the most important aspect of life. Wasting money on stuff that people perceive that millionaires have should be avoided. Extending your credit or getting loans on stuff (e.g. cars, clothes, etc.) will make you poor and broke. When you wisely handle money, you positively impact the quality of your life.

There are many key statistics and indicators that this book brings up to move you in the direction of being wealthy (and away from being broke). The key habit that this book has done for me is that I hesitate and think first before spending on stuff. That hesitancy clears your mind and removes the emotion of having that stuff especially cars. Then, you can see if you truly need that stuff. That makes sense (and cents).

The perception of millionaires is that they drive Mercedes-Benz, Rolls Royce, etc. The reality of millionaires is that they drive efficient and economical cars that are usually bought pre-owned (aka a used car). There is an interesting and even funny story in the book about a multi-millionaire being given a gift of a Rolls Royce. He did not accept the Rolls Royce even though it was given as a gift because it cost a lot just to maintain and keep that Rolls Royce. There is more to owning a car than just paying off the car. You have to consider maintenance cost, gas cost, insurance cost, etc. That is something anyone can overlook. That is an interesting perspective that this book discusses.

In addition, you do not know who is actually a millionaire. Some people can have a big hat with no cattle (as they would say in Texas). Usually, a millionaire has a smaller hat with a lot of cattle. The millionaire can be someone next door to you who does not look like a millionaire. They know how to accumulate wealth and wisely use the wealth they have.

This is a good financial planning book to give you the truth and the myth about millionaires.

Written by ronimmi1
http://www.moneybook2u.com/

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How to Get a Cheap Minnesota Bankruptcy Attorney

on October 22, 2011 · Leave a Comment

How to Get a Cheap Minnesota Bankruptcy Attorney in Minneapolis

Fees for a Minnesota bankruptcy attorney can vary from around ,200 (like us) to as much as ,000 for a Chapter 7 personal bankruptcy.  Not only do we keep our rates competitive, but we also offer a guarantee that if you find any Minnesota bankruptcy attorney with a cheaper fee we will beat it by .

Below are some more ways that can help you save money and get a cheap Minnesota bankruptcy attorney.
Bankruptcy Alternatives Can Save You Money

Do you think bankruptcy your only option?  Unfortunately, too many people are forced into bankruptcy without ever knowing that there are other options.  Usually we are able to negotiate to reduce your debts by over 50%.  Sometimes working out a debt reduction is a better option than filing for bankruptcy.

A Minnesota bankruptcy attorney has more leverage to negotiate your debts down than you because creditors known that the attorney can file bankruptcy for your.  In this case, creditors prefer to negotiate because they will usually get less money if you end up in bankruptcy than if they get 50% of what you owe them directly from you.

Besides negotiations there are other ways to reduce your debts.  Be sure to pick a Minnesota bankruptcy attorney that does not only persuade you into bankruptcy.  Instead choose one that is willing to explain all of your options and allows you to decide what will work best for you.

Basically a Minnesota bankruptcy attorney might be able to assist you in getting rid of your debts cheaper than a bankruptcy would cost you, especially if you consider the impact that a bankruptcy has on your credit and ability to get loans.
Bulk Discount: Cheaper Minnesota Bankruptcy Attorney

Some Minnesota bankruptcy lawyers including us will give you a discount if you and your spouse are both filing for bankruptcy.  Sometimes this discount is also available if you come along with another family member or a friend.  A Minnesota bankruptcy lawyer can offer the services cheaper because the attorney will likely spend less time communicating with both of you than if the attorney had to communicate with two separate clients.
Warning: Don’t File Your Own Bankruptcy to Save Money

The federal bankruptcy law is complicated and very confusing.  It is not worthwhile to try to file bankruptcy and pay the filing fees and end up finding out that you make a mistake and your debts are not discharged.

Even most seasoned Minneapolis attorneys that are not experienced with bankruptcy law refuse to do bankruptcy on their own.  They find the bankruptcy law and process too confusing too do it without the help of someone with experience in bankruptcy law.  It is not just Minneapolis attorneys that are like this.  St. Paul and other attorneys through the Twin Cities are also like this.

I have yet to hear of a person who filed for bankruptcy on their own that did not end up with problems that resulted in them having to hire a bankruptcy attorney.  Usually the attorney then charges more to clean up the mess of them filing on their own than if they had just gone to the bankruptcy attorney in the first place.

Unfortunately the bankruptcy system is not cheaper or simpler and it is just a fact that must be accepted that to file bankruptcy you will need to hire a Minnesota bankruptcy lawyer.
Warning: Don’t Buy Bankruptcy Books

In most cases bankruptcy books are a waste of time and money because you can get the best advice for your situation by meeting with us for free.  For free you can meet with a Minnesota bankruptcy attorney to look at your particular situation and avoid wasting time and money on bankruptcy books.  Additionally, if you file for bankruptcy now, the books will likely be useless the next time you file for bankruptcy due to the ever changing bankruptcy law in Minnesota.
Warning: Don’t Fall Prey to Online Bankruptcy Scams

Online there are many companies that try to make money by taking advantage of people in debt.  Often they will try to sell you programs, illegitimate services, and scams.  It is best to stick to getting bankruptcy advice from people who are lawfully authorized to give legal advice (i.e. attorneys).  Also, there is no reason to spend money when we offer a free consultation with a bankruptcy attorney to look at your situation and let you know your options that include alternatives to bankruptcy.
Other Ways to Get a Cheap Minnesota Bankruptcy Lawyer in Minneapolis

If you know of other ways to find a cheap Minnesota bankruptcy lawyer in Minneapolis, leave a comment below.

learn more about Cheap Minnesota Bankruptcy Lawyer at http://minnesotabankruptcyattorney.com

Written by Rita Walsh
I am a freelance composer and review copywriter with LKI Marketing Ltd, UK.

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How to Create a Basic Estate Plan?

on October 17, 2011 · 25 Comments

Step1 Have a Will Prepared.

A will allows an individual to transfer his or her property to whomever he or she wants to receive it. The consequence of not having a will is that if you die intestate (without a will) then the state in which you live will determine who will receive your property. Frankly, who wants the state deciding who should receive your property.

Step 2  Have a Power of Attorney Prepared.

A power of attorney is a document that allows an individual to give someone authority to act on his or her behalf who is known as the attorney-in-fact. The power of attorney allows the agent to handle an individual’s financial matters.

The consequence of not having a power of attorney is if a person becomes incapacitated then someone will have to petition (ask) the Court to be appointed as Conservator to handle the incapacitated person’s financial affairs. This procedure is more costly and time consuming. Moreover, the Conservator will be under the supervision of the Court with respect to handling the incapacitated person’s money.

Generally, there are two types of Powers of Attorney. A Durable Power of Attorney is a power of attorney that is effective once it is signed by the principal (the person giving the power of attorney) and continues to be effective even after the principal becomes incapacitated.

Be careful who you give authority to act on your behalf under a Durable Power of Attorney because that individual can transfer your assets with or without your permission.

The second Power of Attorney is known as a Springing Power of Attorney. A Springing Power of Attorney comes into existence when an individual becomes incapacitated. In South Carolina, you need two physicians to make the determination that an individual is incapacitated. One of those physicians must be the attending physician for the incapacitated person. A lawyer will be able to assist you in determining what is required in your particular state for a Springing Power of Attorney.

Step 3 Have a Health Care Power of Attorney Prepared.

A health care power of attorney is a document that allows an individual to appoint someone to act on his or her behalf with respect to health care decisions. The person signing the health care power of attorney generally has three choices to make.

1) Save my life- this option directs the agent to use all measures
necessary to prolong the principal’s life regardless of cost.

2) Let me die-this option directs the agent to make sure that life
sustaining treatment is not provided.

3) You decide-this option directs that the agent make the decision
whether to provide or withhold life sustaining treatment.

Again, a lawyer will be able to help you decide what options are best for you.

The consequence of not having a Health Care Power of Attorney is if a person becomes incapacited then someone must petition (ask) the Court to be appointed as the Guardian. This is more expensive and time consuming. The Guardian would be responsible for making health care decisions for the incapacited person. The Guardian would be under the supervision of the Court.

Step 4 Have a Living Will prepared.

A Living Will is a document that gives direction to your doctor when you are in the dying process. Generally, a doctor must determine that a person is terminal. There are two general choices a person has to make.

1) If you are terminal, then you must decide whether you want nutrition
and hydration or do you want it withheld.

2) If you are in a persistent vegetative state or other permanent
unconsciousness you must decide whether you want nutrition and
hydration or do you want it withheld.

Step 5 Purchase Adequate Life Insurance.

Life insurance is to replace the income of the person who has passed away. There needs to be enough insurance to do the following: bury the deceased person, payoff the mortgage, payoff debts of the deceased person, provide for the children’s eduation and provide the family with enough money to live.

Written by nccu9902

Estate Planning Basics and Estate Planning for 2011. For more information please visit silvertalksmoney.com. In this episode of Silver Talks Money, “How To Die Like A Pro Estate Planning And You,” Jim Silver references the unfortunate demise of NFL quarterback Steve McNair to underscore the importance of estate planning and provide a basic, easy to follow game-plan to get you on your way.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

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Become a Millionaire Online Scam Prevention

on October 11, 2011 · Leave a Comment

I’ve been a work at home Mom for about 8 years now. I’ve tried so many things. I’ve tried envelope stuffing, crafts from home, data entry, home inspections, art making, eBay and more. The more I researched, the more I realized there are millionaire online scams all over the place. They’re just vultures waiting to pick the meat off the bones. At least vultures wait until the meal is dead. The millionaire online scams pick your bones while you’re still breathing. They inflict pain that is worse than the Chinese water torture chambers.

I hope that you will promote and encourage others to read this long article. Getting hypnotized online through words is a common practice. Knowing how it is done makes you less vulnerable to millionaire online scam hypnosis.

Stacking Hypnotism to Rob You

One of the ways a hypnotist works on the mind is to reach the subconscious level. We’re more likely to follow the subconscious. So what does this have to do millionaire online scams? A lot!

The millionaire online scams work on the subconscious by stacking. They present you with 3 to 5 facts. Then bam, they hit you with a secret command. Now in case the first set of stacking doesn’t work, they hit you again. Before you know it, they’re pulling off their millionaire online scam.

Example of Stacking Hypnotism

Alright, let’s go with me. I’m a work at home mom. I’m fairly decent at crafts. Not brilliant but decent. So, I go to a website. I’m told in the craft requires no sewing. Would I like a craft that requires no sewing? My answer is Yes! (fact one for stacking me)

They provide all the training for me. I don’t have to even know the craft. They give me a video that not only trains me but demonstrates it for me. Wouldn’t I like to have my own, personal trainer for learning how to make their crafts so they’re accepted every single time? My answer is Yes! (fact two for stacking me)

They provide all the supplies for me. Not only does the craft require no sewing and I get my very own personal trainer, I don’t have to pay for the supplies. Would I like a work at home program that I don’t have to pay for supplies? My answer is Yes! (fact three for stacking me)

Now comes the clever part. They’re going to ask for money. After all, they are a millionaire online scam. The trick is three stacks isn’t nearly as powerful for millionaire online scam hypnotism as four or five. But you can’t go past five because you’re going to lose my attention and I’m going to sense you’re a millionaire online scam.

I have nothing to lose. They offer a 90 day money back guarantee. Other companies only offer a 30 day money back guarantee or no guarantee at all. Isn’t getting a 90 day money back guarantee good? My answer is Yes! (fact four for stacking me)

I don’t even have to send the supplies back to get my guarantee. They even give me a toll free number to call or email to write and simply tell them I want my money back. Aren’t they honest because they’re not requiring me to give back their supplies and provide me with 2 ways to contact them? My answer is Yes! (fact five for stacking me)

Using the Command to Rob Me

Now , remember when I go to the millionaire online scams websites, I’m already in need of some way to get millions of dollars. I’m probably having a really hard time financially. I’m already receptive to the millionaire online scam hypnosis… even though it’s writing. Now the really good websites that are into the millionaire online scam hypnosis will present a video with the same stacking principle in it.

Because they eased me into the first two of the five stacks, I’m already allowing access to my subconscious mind. By the time they get me to three through five, it’s just pulling me in deeper. My enthusiasm is rising. I’m hopeful of a good deal. They’ve started building my trust and confidence. By this point, I’m hooked. They’re ready to give the command.

Register for free. Pay a shipping and handling fee. Fill out the form now for this limited time opportunity to work for us. Bam! The millionaire online scams have you. You fill out the form. They were honest. It’s a registration fee and handling fee. After all, billions of people could get free supplies (remember the stack of free supplies). Now they couldn’t give me those free supplies if they just let anyone have them. It’s only reasonable for a shipping free. The registration fee is to pay their workers.. who are after all just like me.. working for a living.

Reasoning It Out

Did I just get scammed? No! I didn’t pay to work. I paid a registration and shipping fee. Plus, I have a 90 day back guarantee and get to keep what they send to me.

With the millionaire online scam hypnosis stacking technique, I can justify and reason out my purchase and being scammed. It won’t be until at least 24 hours that I realize, I just got hooked and baited with by the millionaire online scams artists.

I actually did fall for this technique. I didn’t even learn about this type of hypnosis until I did research for an article for a different website that I freelance write for.

I hope that you will promote and encourage others to read this long article. Getting hypnotized online through words is a common practice. Knowing how it is done makes you less vulnerable to millionaire online scam hypnosis.

Written by Fresian2009

Question by drjpba: How many millionaires could you make with 3 trillion dollars?
Would that be Constitutional? In other words,is it Constitutional for Congress to pass a bill or budget that would create millionaires using 3 trillion dollars.
30,000 families? Still would be better than Obama’s idea.Let’s see,300million in the states.

Best answer:

Answer by Tyranny Response Team
The Constitution does give the congress the power to appropriate money. I don’t think the founders counted on the American public becoming so dumbed down.

Holy hell max, $ 3Trillion is 3,000,000,000,000. That number that you used it $ 3Billion. Is our mathematical ability really that bad in this country? Trillion = 12 zeros

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

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