“God loves a cheerful giver,” from 2 Corinthians 9:7, sums up how we can all aspire to feel about giving.
There are times I feel this way and other times I don’t. This can be difficult at different stages of our lives.
I have to ask myself: How can I be a cheerful giver more often?
Yes, I support my parish and my diocese, but how can I make an impactful difference and know that I am a cheerful giver?
Recently, my husband and I finalized our estate plans.
We discussed many options for our estate, but this verse kept coming into my head.
I couldn’t help but realize how much God has given to me throughout my life. I feel very blessed!
Because of this, we made the decision to add our parish and the diocese to our estate plans.
I didn’t do this because I felt the Catholic guilt, but because it felt right.
Do you have an estate plan in place? Have you thought about how you can make a difference for your church or the diocese?
You don’t have to leave your entire estate to any one entity, although that would be very generous, perhaps think of leaving 10 percent to your parish or the diocese. What a beautiful gift that would be.
Ask yourself what kind of impact do you wish to make.
When my dad died many years ago, my parish priest met with my family to discuss his funeral arrangements.
One question he asked us has stuck with me for years and years, “Would you consider naming our church for memorial gifts in the obituary?”
What a simple way to leave an impact on your church.
It is not about the amount you are able to leave to the Church, but the act of remembering and giving back to the Church for all God has given to you.
Always remember, 2 Corinthians 9:8: “Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work”.
Consider how you can make an impact, large or small.
What has God blessed you with in your life? How can you give back to God?
If I can assist you with naming your church or the diocese in your estate plans, reach out to me at [email protected] or 608-821-3039.
Know of my prayers for all of you, as we are one Holy Catholic Church in the Diocese of Madison.
Jill McNally is the director of stewardship and development for the Diocese of Madison.