“Estate Tithing”. What is “Estate Tithing”?
If you’re like most of us, you regularly get solicitations from hospitals, universities, and charities to include them in your will. Churches, which are usually asking for annual operating funds, have been less likely to ask their members to include the church in their will. This is why “estate tithing” is being discussed more frequently.
Most church members know the importance of tithing their incomes. Tithing is a basic Christian tenet, but few Christians have considered the idea of tithing their estates as a part of their will. Tithing your estate at the end of a lifetime devoted to Christian stewardship and service is an appropriate testimony for believers. Even the faithful lifetime tither may never have tithed on an appreciated asset such as real estate, securities, or retirement accounts. The concept of Tithing Your Estate offers a simple formula for honoring God with your estate stewardship.
Here is how it works: leave a percentage of your estate, typically ten percent, to the Foundation.
Suggested wording to discuss with your attorney:
1. I give and bequeath to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation, located in Lincoln, Nebraska ________ percent of my gross estate for the benefit of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.
OR
2. I give and bequeath to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation, located in Lincoln, Nebraska the sum of $__________ to be used for the benefit of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.
