Episode Details

When you think about leaving an inheritance, you probably picture children or grandchildren. But what if your next steward isn't a person at all?

For many Christians, leaving a gift to a church, ministry, or nonprofit organization can be a meaningful way to extend their generosity beyond their lifetime. But deciding where, when, and how to give deserves the same thoughtful preparation we would give to an individual heir.

Sharon Epps, President of Kingdom Advisors and a contributor to FaithFi's new field guide, How Do I Prepare the Next Steward?, joined us today to discuss how believers can make these decisions wisely.

Her central encouragement is simple: Choosing a ministry as your next steward is about more than deciding who receives your money. It's about considering what those resources might accomplish after you're gone.

Begin With Purpose, Not an Amount

Before deciding how much to leave a ministry, consider what you hope your gift will accomplish.

What needs are particularly meaningful to you? What kinds of ministry have shaped your life or strengthened your faith? How would you like the resources God has entrusted to you to continue serving others?

Sharon encourages believers to begin with these questions rather than immediately settling on a dollar amount.

Once you've identified your priorities, look for organizations whose missions align with them. Consider whom they serve, how they carry out their work, and whether their approach reflects the purposes behind your generosity.

For example, someone whose family has been blessed through adoption may feel a particular desire to support foster care and adoption ministries. Someone who has benefited from Christian financial discipleship might want to help make those resources available to future generations.

Your own experiences, including seasons of difficulty, may help you recognize opportunities to serve others in meaningful ways.

Look Beyond the Mission Statement

Finding an organization whose mission resonates with you is important, but it's only the beginning.

Just as you would consider an individual heir's character and readiness to manage an inheritance, it's wise to evaluate how a ministry currently handles the resources entrusted to it. Sharon recommends asking several important questions:

• Does the organization demonstrate integrity and accountability in its leadership?
• Is it transparent about its finances?
• Does it have a healthy governance structure and an engaged board?
• How does it measure and communicate the impact of its work?
• What happens when its current leadership changes?

These questions aren't intended to create suspicion. They're part of understanding the ministry well enough to support its work confidently.

Whenever possible, build relationships with its leadership, observe its work firsthand, and learn how it makes decisions.

Approach these conversations with a servant's heart. Rather than simply evaluating whether a ministry deserves your gift, seek to understand how you can help advance the work it's already doing.

Consider Whether the Ministry Is Prepared for Your Gift

A ministry can do wonderful work without being equipped to manage a substantial financial gift. This is especially true for smaller or local organizations with limited staff and administrative resources.

A contribution that dramatically increases a ministry's annual budget may sound like an extraordinary blessing. But if the organization lacks the systems, personnel, or infrastructure to manage that growth, the gift could unintentionally create new challenges.

A significant contribution could also affect existing fundraising