How to Make the Most of Your Charitable Giving

Generosity is at the heart of the Christian life. We give because Jesus first gave himself up for us. We also give knowing that everything we have ultimately belongs to God. Our generosity is an outward expression of the gospel’s transformation in our hearts and lives.

“…see that you also excel in this grace of giving…For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” (2 Cor. 2:7-9)

For many Christians, charitable giving is both a priority and a practice. But sometimes we don’t always give in the most strategic or impactful ways.

At Geneva, we help ministry families navigate the financial decisions that come with every season of ministry, from retirement planning and financial wellness to charitable giving and legacy planning. Our goal is to provide practical guidance that helps you steward what God has entrusted to you and live generously in every season.With that in mind, here are four things to consider that can help make your Kingdom giving even more impactful.

1. Start With Your Why

Before thinking about how to give, it can be helpful to think about why you give. What causes are closest to your heart? What experiences have shaped your desire to give? Are there particular people, ministries, or needs you feel called to support? And what kind of legacy do you hope your generosity will leave?

These questions can help turn charitable giving from something you do ad hoc into a more intentional expression of your values and faith.

2. Consider How You Give

Cash isn’t the only way to make a charitable gift. There are a number of strategies that allow you to increase the impact of your generosity. Here are a few examples:

1. Some employers match charitable contributions made by their employees. If yours does, your gift could potentially have twice the impact. Check with your employer to see whether a matching program is available.
2. Stocks and other securities that have increased in value can often be donated directly to a charitable organization. Depending on your circumstances, giving appreciated assets may provide tax advantages while allowing you to make a larger charitable contribution. For example, if you donate securities to your church, you pay no capital gains tax on the appreciated value of your securities.
3. A donor-advised fund is a simple, flexible, and tax-efficient way for Christians to give to their favorite charities, including their church. DAFs are one of the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicles in the U.S. because they’re one of the easiest and most tax-efficient ways to give to charity. We recommend using the PCA Foundation’s premier offering, the Advise and Consult Fund ®, which is free and can be opened with an initial gift of just $1,000.

3. Think Beyond Your Lifetime

Planned giving allows you to incorporate charitable organizations into your long-term financial and estate plans. This might include naming a charity, ministry, or church as a beneficiary of a retirement account, life insurance policy, or making a gift through your will.

4. The Relief Fund: Supporting Ministry Families in Need

For those looking for a meaningful way to extend their generosity within the PCA, Geneva’s Relief Fund offers a tangible opportunity to care for ministry workers and families in difficult seasons.

The Relief Fund provides financial assistance and compassionate support to PCA pastors, widows, and ministry families experiencing hardship. A medical crisis, disability, loss of income, or the death of a pastor can create significant financial strain. The Relief Fund exists so that those who have spent their lives serving the church don’t have to face those challenges alone.

Giving to the Relief Fund is an opportunity to tangibly and powerfully care for the body of Christ. It’s a way of saying to a pastor, widow, or ministry family in a difficult season, “You are not forgotten. You matter. We are with you.”

Intentional Generosity is Impactful Generosity
Intentional generosity is impactful generosity. Whether you’re giving today or planning a gift for generations to come, prayerfully consider how God might be calling you to steward what you’ve been given. The best part is, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Geneva’s experienced team of financial planners can help you think through these decisions with wisdom and confidence.

If you’d like help with your charitable giving strategy or want to learn more about supporting the Relief Fund, please contact our Assistant Vice President of Advancement, Chris Zurbach at chris.zurbach@genevabenefits.org.