CREATIVE WAYS OF GIVING
Many people hear a phrase like “Not Equal Gifts, but Equal Sacrifice” and say, “If they only knew how little money I have,” or “I’m giving all I can—I can’t give anymore,” or “I can barely make it on what I earn. There’s no way I can give to the campaign.” Believe me, we understand the concerns and empathize with you. That is why we have developed with a list of creative ways to give that you may have overlooked. Each one requires sacrifice, but like King David said, “I will not offer up to the Lord anything that costs me nothing!” (1 Chronicles 21:24).
BUDGET AND GIVE
BUDGET AND GIVE:
1. Without a written budget, people don’t know where the money goes. Commit to put your financial affairs in order and honor the Lord with your resources.
2. Understand the impact that each of us can have for the Kingdom as good stewards.
1. Without a written budget, people don’t know where the money goes. Commit to put your financial affairs in order and honor the Lord with your resources.
2. Understand the impact that each of us can have for the Kingdom as good stewards.
GIFTS OF INCREASE
GIFTS OF INCREASE:
1. Commit your income tax refund checks to the Lord for the next two years.
2. Dedicate your raises in salary.
3. Dedicate your bonuses or commissions.
1. Commit your income tax refund checks to the Lord for the next two years.
2. Dedicate your raises in salary.
3. Dedicate your bonuses or commissions.
DELAYED EXPENDITURES GIFTS
DELAYED EXPENDITURES GIFTS:
1. Postpone the purchase of a new car for two years.
2. Adjust your vacations. Do something close and inexpensive like camping, day hikes, or take three-day vacations instead of a week and save on the airfare and hotel costs. This can easily save over $1,000.
3. Resist the “must-have” clothing. Purchase the classic looks with long lives instead of the “here today, gone tomorrow.”
4. Put off the purchase of that new boat or big screen television.
1. Postpone the purchase of a new car for two years.
2. Adjust your vacations. Do something close and inexpensive like camping, day hikes, or take three-day vacations instead of a week and save on the airfare and hotel costs. This can easily save over $1,000.
3. Resist the “must-have” clothing. Purchase the classic looks with long lives instead of the “here today, gone tomorrow.”
4. Put off the purchase of that new boat or big screen television.
GIFTS-IN-KIND
GIFTS-IN-KIND:
Transfer ownership of an asset, instead of selling the asset and giving the cash, as a gift-in-kind.
1. Appreciated investment property held more than one year, such as stock, mutual fund shares, bonds, and real estate, can be given.
2. Personal property, such as automobiles, jewelry and boats, may also be given.
3. The tax code is very generous on this kind of gift. By donating the asset to the church, you can eliminate potential capital gains taxes and increase after-tax proceeds.
Transfer ownership of an asset, instead of selling the asset and giving the cash, as a gift-in-kind.
1. Appreciated investment property held more than one year, such as stock, mutual fund shares, bonds, and real estate, can be given.
2. Personal property, such as automobiles, jewelry and boats, may also be given.
3. The tax code is very generous on this kind of gift. By donating the asset to the church, you can eliminate potential capital gains taxes and increase after-tax proceeds.
DIVERTED FUNDS GIFTS
DIVERTED FUNDS GIFTS:
1. Clip coupons! The average savings on food expenditures is $24 per week. $24 per week over two years is almost $2,500.
2. Give up the habit! Easier said than done, but not impossible. For example: a pack of cigarettes plus tax each day for two years costs nearly $3,600.
3. Mind your pennies! Skip the morning vending machine and afternoon soda each day, and over two years, you save almost $1,000.
4. Brew your own! Avoid the gourmet latte from the coffee shop each day, and you can save about $2,000 over two years.
5. Enjoy “Dinner and a Movie” at home! By avoiding the traffic, crowds, long lines and tips you can easily save well over $1500 over two years.
1. Clip coupons! The average savings on food expenditures is $24 per week. $24 per week over two years is almost $2,500.
2. Give up the habit! Easier said than done, but not impossible. For example: a pack of cigarettes plus tax each day for two years costs nearly $3,600.
3. Mind your pennies! Skip the morning vending machine and afternoon soda each day, and over two years, you save almost $1,000.
4. Brew your own! Avoid the gourmet latte from the coffee shop each day, and you can save about $2,000 over two years.
5. Enjoy “Dinner and a Movie” at home! By avoiding the traffic, crowds, long lines and tips you can easily save well over $1500 over two years.