Reflections on Giving

A Family’s Lifetime Stewardship

Weaver Wedding We give because Christ first gave to us. It is from this gift that our hearts are filled with winsome and overflowing generosity. Let us remember our call to be good stewards, not only of the gifts that we have been given, but of the Kingdom that is to be proclaimed. Bettye and Monte Weaver are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year. This gift of a committed marriage and family includes their three adult daughters, two sons-in-law and two grandchildren. Monte shares with us from his own experience some points to ponder on the implications of what it truly means to open wide our hands in lifetime stewardship giving.

Eternity and Me

… but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. – Romans 6:23

A New Baby The knowledge that I will cross from death to eternal life with Jesus Christ gives me a joy and peace that is found nowhere else. With this knowledge, I am relieved of all fears and doubts that come from trusting in my possessions, my power, and my friends. Thinking about this gift from God makes me realize that the most important thing I can do is to share this gift of Salvation with others. Knowing that the portion of financial resources that I give to the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation will be used for leading others to eternity in God’s presence adds to the peace and joy in my life. It is also comforting to know that my financial participation in the Foundation will provide intergenerational encouragement of evangelism to inner-city Memphis and the wider world, bringing Christ’s message of compassion and hope to all people.

The World of my Children and their Children

… there were also prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. – 2 Peter 2:1

Family Photo When I think of the impact of false teachings in the world today and the precedence they take over the absolute truth of Biblical core values, I get very concerned about the world my children and their children will live in. Already, we see many disheartening effects of these false teachings— idolatry, sexual brokenness, covetousness, self righteousness, and a society where it is politically correct to accept a pluralistic world view to the exclusion of Biblical standards of right and wrong. Yet, even in the midst of these concerns, I know God is faithful in showing us the way to live. One answer God provides is that we must train future leaders (II Timothy 2:2). The Foundation has been true to this command by providing funds for youth internships, pastoral internships, inner-city pastoral training through MCUTS (Memphis Center for Theological Studies) and seminary students desiring to go into full-time Christian service.

My planned gift to the Foundation’s undesignated fund will enable it to expand the funding for the training of future Christian leaders.

My Lifetime Stewardship Plan

… from the one who has been entrusted much, much will be asked. – Luke 12:48

Pepper Tree These words spoken by Jesus to His disciples cause me to pause and think of my response. Because I, like many Americans, have been entrusted with much, I ask myself “How do I respond to God for the gifts He has given me?”

Some of the answers are simple. I give a tithe of all I earn to the Second Presbyterian Church. I support Second’s capital campaigns and other needy causes in Memphis and America. But I can’t stop here, because I also realize that Jesus says that I must be willing to give Him my all and He teaches that what I “give to the least of these,” I give unto Him. It is here that deciding what to do with my abundance becomes more complex.

Certainly I can follow the prevalent approach of accumulating as much as I can and leave all I have accumulated to my children. But just a little thought here raises major questions. Is this approach consistent with Jesus’ teachings? My children are already living an abundant life. Is adding to their abundance the best use of my resources?

So, after much thought, I have decided to follow Jesus’ teachings to care for others and, at the same time, set up a stewardship example for my children to follow by giving more than a tithe of financial gains through long-term investments and any other windfall gain I may receive. Further, Bettye and I have made an estate plan that will share a portion of all that is left after she and I are gone to be with the Lord.

These gifts are made to the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation for its use in promoting God’s Kingdom in Memphis, America and the world. In offering gifts over and above my tithe, I follow Jesus’ teachings. I do not go away from Jesus sad as the rich young ruler did, but, rather, I find hope in Jesus’ words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

My Estate Plan

But God said to him, you fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. – Luke 12:20

Graduation This quote from Scripture warns me to be on my guard against greed, but it also states a truth about the uncertainty of life. This uncertainty of lifespan caused me as a young adult to put a plan in place that would handle my affairs if I were unable to.

I, like most people I know, do not want to place a burden on anyone, including my family. After discussing our desires with our attorney, Bettye and I had the following documents created: a will, living will, durable power of attorney and durable power of attorney for health care.

What we learned in the process of preparing these documents is that all except the living will are necessary if we want our wishes implemented at our deaths or incapacitations. The optional living will is a personal preference we chose after hearing its advantages and disadvantages. As a result of having these documents in place, we now have the peace of mind that our wishes will be followed in the administration of our affairs, that health care will be provided if we are incapacitated, and that our assets will be transferred according to our wishes at our deaths.

By making arrangements to share our assets with the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation for its use in spreading the Gospel in Memphis, America, and around the world, it became apparent that this was the single most important act of stewardship we have performed.