5 ways to make a greater giving impact

A church service in Argentina, where Langham’s Preaching Program is equipping pastors to preach God’s Word.

By Kevin Vandenbrink

“… Be rich in good deeds, generous and willing to share… so that you may lay hold of the life that is truly life.”

— 1 Timothy 6:18-19 (NIV)

Don’t you love it when someone’s words and life align? When they live out the things they say through their choices and decisions?

Langham Partnership’s founder John Stott taught clearly and powerfully about how to as followers of Jesus in relation to our possessions. And he lived what he taught.

In Stott’s commentary on 1 Timothy 6 (published by IVP), he encourages us with Paul’s teaching when he says:

“The apostle’s balanced wisdom becomes apparent.

Against materialism… he sets simplicity of lifestyle.
Against asceticism… he sets gratitude for God’s creation.
Against covetousness… he sets contentment with what we have.
Against selfishness… he sets generosity in imitation of God.

Simplicity, gratitude contentment and generosity constitute a healthy quadrilateral of Christian living.”

I love that! A healthy quadrilateral of Christian living. What a challenge and what a beautiful vision of a life well lived.

What might it look for us to do the same? To grow in the simplicity, gratitude, contentment and generosity that Jesus called us to?

We’ve compiled four giving strategies that may help you to live generously. Take a look here.

1. Making a legacy gift in your will or trust

Your retirement fund (such as a 401K, 403B, or IRA) may one of your largest assets. Many Langham donors have found that they can make their largest gift ever by naming Langham as a beneficiary of a portion (or all) of their retirement fund.

This gift costs nothing during your lifetime, but can have a powerful impact on the global church in the future.
These gift arrangements are simple and can reduce taxes for your heirs, since most non-spouse beneficiaries will need to pay taxes when they inherit money from a tax deferred retirement account.
If you chose to name Langham as a beneficiary of your retirement funds, we would love to welcome you to our Cross of Christ Legacy Fellowship.

You can learn more about how to include Langham here.

2. Giving from your IRA

If you are over age 70 ½, current tax law allows you to gift up to $108,000 from your IRA directly to charity and exclude that amount from your taxable income. This is called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QDC) and is becoming a favorite way for retirees over age 70 ½ to increase their donation effectiveness.

Since a new tax law nearly doubled the standard deduction, this means many retirees can no longer deduct their charitable contributions because they do not have enough itemized deductions to meet the threshold.
Many IRA owners who are over 70 ½ have the best of both worlds. They can eliminate the income tax from their IRA required distribution and take the higher standard deduction.

3. Giving appreciated stock

Giving stock or other appreciated investment assets directly to Langham Partnership can have a big tax benefit. By contributing long-term (held over a year) appreciated assets such as bonds, stocks or real estate, you can avoid the capital gains tax (up to 20%) you would have incurred by selling the assets.

Donating appreciated assets could also increase your spendable income, because it could take the place of donating cash.

To learn more about how to give stock to Langham, click here.

4. Giving through a donor advised fund

A donor advised fund (DAF) is a simple alternative to a foundation and can help you streamline your giving. You can give all of your appreciated assets into a single fund and receive an immediate tax deduction. Then, you can choose when and how to recommend grants to Langham Partnership or other ministries.

5. Giving real estate, farmland, crops, cryptocurrency, a business or more

I will always remember worshiping at a church in Africa where a farmer placed two pieces of fruit in the offering plate. How beautiful. Here in the United States, gifts of rental property, a second home, a farm, crops, cryptocurrency, a business or other assets can be a wonderful way to support the Lord’s work while significantly reducing taxes.

These gifts require some planning, and you will want to consult your advisors, but Langham Partnership has an incredible team of Christian charitable planners available to offer expert confidential help at each step of the process.