Written by Tatum Bergen
This article was first published in Hope Notes Is 32.
When Ali and David, a young couple with two daughters under two, received an early inheritance from his grandparents, they began thinking about the legacy they wanted to leave. Ali had seen generosity exemplified in the lives of her family and in-laws in many forms—like welcoming homes and ice cream cones—and she realized there is no better time than the present to create habits of generosity.
For Ali, these habits looked like learning about poverty alleviation and teaching her daughters to bless others, including giving the community librarian a gift card at Christmastime.
"We're called to be generous in all seasons of our life," Ali shares.
"Often we think, 'I just have to wait until I'm middle-aged and have a house, etc., and then I can afford to give.' But then people get to a stage in their life where they think, 'I wasn't as generous as I'd thought I'd be.'"
"But I believe that having a generosity mindset changes your life," she continues. "I think [God] will change the way you think about money and the way that you think about your fellow human beings." Learning from the legacy of their families, Ali saw how to incorporate generosity into her daily life, from her career as a palliative nurse to opening her home to those in need. Generosity became more than just financial.
Over time, generosity helps us become more mindful of others, and little less focused on ourselves—even when we feel we don't have much to give.
That's why Ali and her husband decided they wanted to leave a legacy of generosity in their finances as well as their lifestyle. "It's twofold," she smiles, "where you're enabling your kids to learn generosity and to be generous. Long-term, we really want to teach our daughters that everything we have is a gift from God. It's not to be hoarded or kept, it's to be shared."
So, Ali met with Advisors with Purpose, to learn about and make an estate plan that aligned with their values, helping them maximize that early inheritance and lessen the tax implications. "It's really helpful to see the financial benefits, too," she explains. "I could give less money away in taxes and instead give it to a charity."
Ultimately, Ali shares that generosity in all its forms, "is helping to see people's lives transformed by the love of Christ. And that is His love, right? Abundant and lavish."
As a thank you to our donors for their abundant generosity, FH Canada has a special partnership with Advisors with Purpose (AWP) so our donors can access estate planning services—free of charge!
For Ali, these habits looked like learning about poverty alleviation and teaching her daughters to bless others, including giving the community librarian a gift card at Christmastime.
"We're called to be generous in all seasons of our life," Ali shares.
"Often we think, 'I just have to wait until I'm middle-aged and have a house, etc., and then I can afford to give.' But then people get to a stage in their life where they think, 'I wasn't as generous as I'd thought I'd be.'"
"But I believe that having a generosity mindset changes your life," she continues. "I think [God] will change the way you think about money and the way that you think about your fellow human beings." Learning from the legacy of their families, Ali saw how to incorporate generosity into her daily life, from her career as a palliative nurse to opening her home to those in need. Generosity became more than just financial.
Over time, generosity helps us become more mindful of others, and little less focused on ourselves—even when we feel we don't have much to give.
That's why Ali and her husband decided they wanted to leave a legacy of generosity in their finances as well as their lifestyle. "It's twofold," she smiles, "where you're enabling your kids to learn generosity and to be generous. Long-term, we really want to teach our daughters that everything we have is a gift from God. It's not to be hoarded or kept, it's to be shared."
So, Ali met with Advisors with Purpose, to learn about and make an estate plan that aligned with their values, helping them maximize that early inheritance and lessen the tax implications. "It's really helpful to see the financial benefits, too," she explains. "I could give less money away in taxes and instead give it to a charity."
Ultimately, Ali shares that generosity in all its forms, "is helping to see people's lives transformed by the love of Christ. And that is His love, right? Abundant and lavish."
As a thank you to our donors for their abundant generosity, FH Canada has a special partnership with Advisors with Purpose (AWP) so our donors can access estate planning services—free of charge!
