Life Income & Pooled Income Funds
The first century Stoics viewed contentment as the state of being freely independent; self sustained and self contained without any external influences. 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. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:6-10, 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).
There is an anecdotal story about a minister who officiated the funeral service of an elderly woman. After the funeral a person approached the minister and asked, “How much did she leave behind?” The minister wisely replied, “She left it all.” So will we.
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 intense 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. Yet many times our desire for financial security will limit our obedience to eternal opportunities when they present themselves. Money, in and of itself, is neutral. It is neither good nor bad. But when we affix a value to it such as love, it leads us down difficult paths that result in clenched fists rather than open hands.
Cliff and Carol had a desire to create additional retirement income and to leave a charitable gift to their church. They chose to participate in a Pooled Income Fund (PIF) where their money would be pooled and invested together with others. They invested $50,000 in appreciated stock, thus eliminating the capital gains tax on the appreciated value. They also received a charitable deduction for the year they entered the pool, thus lowering their taxes. Cliff and his wife were able to receive a stream of income for the remainder of their lives and make a charitable donation to their church.
There are tools available to allow you to find contentment in this life by meeting your essential needs as well as fulfilling your desire to make an eternal difference in your community and the world. Giving instruments such as a Pooled Income Fund allow you to maximize the value of your money and the value of God’s work through your congregation.
Your church has provided the opportunity for you to have safe, confidential conversations about your estate design so that your money can work as a tool for you now and in the future by funding and fueling the mission and vision of your Church.
It has been said that “Not everything that can be counted counts.” It’s true. Godliness mixed with contentment is great wealth. No, you can’t take it with you. But you can plan in such a way as to send it on ahead and store your treasures in heaven.
