God’s Kingdom Stewards
When I was a boy, my earthly dad had a repetitive charge. On weekends when I was preparing to go out, he would say, “Don’t forget you are a McDonald!” He was admonishing me to live and behave in light of my earthly identity – an identity he spent a lifetime modeling and demonstrating. My father was reminding me to live in a manner worthy of my family heritage.
Four times Paul issues a similar scriptural charge. He urges Christ’s followers to walk in a manner worthy of our calling (Eph. 4:1), a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ (Php. 1:27), a manner pleasing to the Lord (Col. 1:10), and a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory (1 Thess. 2:12). Do you live with a sense of your spiritual identity in constant view? Doing so recognizes your place in God’s kingdom.
I am a McDonald – I always endeavored to live in a way that would make my dad proud to call me his son. What would it look like to establish a similar ethic as it relates to my Heavenly Father? I propose it would look like this: I am God’s adopted son, a kingdom citizen, in God’s kingdom economy, stewarding God’s blessings for God’s glory.
The Foundation is in many ways a “kingdom enterprise facilitator” – our work offers conduits through which Christ’s followers can become active financial participants in God’s established kingdom in this “already but not yet” epoch of time. Individually, we are kingdom citizens, and our citizenship is in heaven (Php. 3:20). While we are in this world, we are no longer of this world (John 17:16). A kingdom identity should produce a kingdom ethic that both informs our concept of self and directs our conduct and behavior.
Planned giving services are available to assist congregants in formulating legacy plans that include a kingdom impact and facilitate what for many will be their single largest act of generosity in their lifetime. For many in retirement, Charitable Gift Annuities can offer current tax advantages and guarantee individuals a lifetime earnings stream at rates far exceeding those offered on certificates of deposit. At passing, the residual of the annuity can be directed to your church to provide financial resources for continued gospel work. Donor Advised Funds are an excellent way to protect capital-appreciated assets from capital gains taxes and maximize personal resources to fund kingdom work.
One exciting new way for individuals to increase their kingdom impact is through investing in church expansion certificates. Certificates pay higher rates than banks commonly offer on savings accounts and represent a way to increase personal earnings on excess cash while at the same time having a kingdom impact.The Foundation uses certificates to fund church loans across the state. Inside you can see some of these exciting projects. Foundation loans are 100% funded through certificates. Kingdom benefit accrues to both certificate holders as well as church borrowers and 100% of the Foundation’s surplus earnings are reinvested in kingdom causes.
Psalm 103:19 states a current reality with both immediate and future implications. There the Scripture says, “The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.” If you want to allow God to rule over your financial stewardship of the blessings He bestows, please call on us. We are here to serve.
Bart McDonald | SBTF Executive Director