<\/p>\n
Is it undignified to talk about money? The Bible doesn\u2019t think so. More than two thousand verses address finances and how to care for them.<\/p>\n
Jesus Himself often spoke about financial matters. The only subject He addressed more frequently was the kingdom of God. In one of His best-known parables, He describes a merchant \u201cseeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it\u201d (Matthew 13:45, 46).<\/p>\n
The merchant understood that nothing he owned could compare to what he had found.<\/p>\n
More than two thousand verses address finances and how to care for them.<\/p>\n
That picture of a priceless treasure prompted Amazing Facts to host the Priceless Pearl Summit on October 3 and 4 at the Granite Bay Hilltop Church. The weekend focused on biblical principles for creating wealth, managing it wisely, and giving it to build up God\u2019s kingdom. The summit was also broadcast on AFTV and social media.<\/p>\n
\u201cGod is a giver,\u201d says Pastor Doug Batchelor, president of Amazing Facts. \u201cWe want to help His people learn how to be better stewards and givers.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Sabbath morning, Dr. Randy Bivens, a physician and founder of the Life and Health Network, showed how to manage money God\u2019s way. \u201cGod gave you the desire to create wealth,\u201d Bivens shared. \u201cThe question is whether He can trust you to use the resources He gives you for His kingdom.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pastor Doug followed with a message on the three areas that God asks us to steward for Him: our time, our influence, and our finances. Using King David as an example, he preached on the importance of giving freely to God\u2019s work and planning ahead so that we can leave a legacy of generosity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to have both hands open,\u201d Pastor Doug said. \u201cOne hand must be open to receive God\u2019s blessings, and the other open to give.\u201d<\/p>\n
Just as the merchant in Jesus\u2019 parable about the priceless pearl gave everything for what he valued most, Pastor Doug encouraged listeners to plan now so that what God has entrusted to them keeps blessing others after they are gone. He shared a simple acronym to remember the steps: PEARL.<\/p>\n
Sunday morning turned to the practical tools that help believers leave a legacy of generosity. In \u201cEmpowering Generations with Planned Giving,\u201d presenter Monica Edwards, assistant legal counsel for the Western Adventist Foundation, explained how a charitable remainder trust works\u2014providing income to beneficiaries during their lifetimes or for a specified term, with the remaining funds going to charity when the trust ends.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are powerful tools that enable us to give more to God\u2019s work and give our children an example of generosity,\u201d Edwards stated.<\/p>\n
In \u201cThe Seven Essential Estate Planning Documents Everyone Should Have,\u201d estate planning professional Elijah Grinevich explained why every family needs a will and similar documents. \u201cDon\u2019t delay to put these in place,\u201d he said. \u201cThese documents make sure that your money will bless God\u2019s work and your family, rather than going to pay lawyers.\u201d<\/p>\n
To make estate planning accessible for everyone, Amazing Facts offers a free will creator here. The tool takes only minutes to complete, and once two impartial witnesses sign the document, it becomes a binding legal contract.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are offering this free tool because we want every family to be able to have the assurance that their family, and especially their children, are protected in case of unexpected death,\u201d said Pastor James Mangum, Amazing Facts\u2019 director of Estate and Legacy Planning. \u201cWithout a will, the court decides what happens to your children and assets when you pass away.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor those with assets over $208,850, it is also important to have a living trust so that your estate will not go into probate court,\u201d explained Grinevich.<\/p>\n
Amazing Facts also offers free estate planning and trust creation services if you make a 10 percent donation to Amazing Facts at death. The Estate and Legacy Planning department will cover the cost of all attorney fees needed to set up your trust and keep it updated. They will also provide safekeeping of your documents in a safe deposit box if desired.<\/p>\n
For Armando and Jasmine Reyes, the Priceless Pearl Summit came at a turning point. \u201cWe\u2019ve graduated from our primary responsibility of raising our children,\u201d they said. \u201cOur mindset now is to focus outside our own windows and help others navigate to the light of Christ. The information on the charitable remainder trust was especially interesting to us because it would allow us to keep giving even after we are gone. We pray that our giving will inspire our children to give generously too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pastor James sums up the heart of the weekend: \u201cCaring for our God-given resources is a sacred work, not a secular one. It\u2019s about honoring God and creating blessings so others can come to know Jesus.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you have found Jesus to be the pearl of great price, then we invite you to partner with Amazing Facts in your estate planning so that you can leave a legacy of giving, even in your death,\u201d he adds. \u201cYour gifts will not only bring many to Christ, but they will also create a tradition of generosity that can inspire the next generation.\u201d<\/p>\n
To speak to the Amazing Facts Estate and Legacy Planning office and learn how you can create a Christ-centered legacy, please call 800-436-2695 or visit https:\/\/www.amazingfacts.org\/estate-and-legacy-planning.<\/p>\n
Your Next Read<\/p>\n
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