Transformational Gift of Life Insurance
The first century Stoics viewed contentment as the state of being freely independent; self sustained and self contained without any external influences. The Apostle Paul Christianized that thought, asserting that contentment was those same things in the context of a relationship with Jesus Christ. In Christ we find the strength to do what we need to do (Philippians 4:13) and we have the resources to have what we need to have (Philippians 4:19). So what is the value of finding contentment?
“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8, NLT).
Paul’s words to Timothy are straight forward. Godliness + contentment = great wealth, or in the NIV, “great gain.” Godliness may be understood as a person’s desire to please Christ, glorify Christ, and obey all of the words that he commanded. When that is added to contentment, a person is indeed wealthy. There are two reasons why this is genuinely profitable.
The first reason is that we will take nothing material with us from the world at the time of death. The reality of death clarifies much for us. Death reminds us that material gain is irrelevant, and greed is irrational. It has been said that life is a journey lived between two states of nakedness. Job articulated that truth first, when he said “naked I came from the womb, and naked I will return” (Job 1:21).
The second reason Paul offered to Timothy is that we should and can be content with the basic necessities of life. The phrase “food and clothing” was intended to be inclusive of all of life’s necessities. His words echo the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:25-34). If we have what we need, we are complete.
Marla and Ken purchased a life insurance policy many years ago to create security for their children's future. As the children grew-up, married, found good jobs and accumulated significant assets, the insurance didn't appear to be needed for its original purpose. The gift planner at their local Church told them they could make a significant gift to the work of their ministry by simply changing the beneficiary of their life insurance policy to the Church. At the end of life, the insurance proceeds would provide an estate tax charitable deduction based on the value of the proceeds paid as well as provide a transformational gift to the work of God’s kingdom. This simple bequest would be instrumental in helping Marla and Ken meet their charitable goals.
The Patriarchs of the Bible were men of great wealth. Each of them understood that their wealth was directly tied to God’s plan to give his people a special land. In today’s Christian era, in which believers do not live in a uniquely promised land, we must take care not to assume that the wealth we have been entrusted with by God is not strictly for our own personal benefit. The Patriarchs serve as an example of generational generosity that is to be utilized to pursue God’s purposes. Following their example, you have an opportunity to live contentedly while sharing from your abundance a gift that will impact generations to come.
If you’d like to further discuss how you can share from your abundance by making a planned gift to your Church, we encourage you to make an appointment today. Your church has provided the resources you need to make a gift that will impact lives today as well as tomorrow!
