In the Wesleyan tradition, stewardship is about more than just the church budget; it is a spiritual practice that shapes us into faithful disciples. In his sermon “The Use of Money”, John Wesley famously summed up this rhythm: "Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can." For many of us, this commitment begins with regular, faithful contributions from our household income. Yet biblical stewardship invites us to look beyond cash flow and consider how every asset entrusted to us can advance God’s kingdom in our community and around the world.
Greater impact
Many church members are surprised to learn that non-cash gifts can have a greater impact on ministry while offering meaningful financial and tax benefits. One effective option for members who must take the required minimum distribution is to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from a traditional IRA. Under federal tax law, you can direct funds from your retirement custodian straight to the church without counting the withdrawal as taxable income. Once you reach the required distribution age—currently 73 under the SECURE 2.0 Act—these gifts can satisfy your required minimum distribution without increasing your adjusted gross income. This may also help prevent higher Medicare premiums. Because the transfer reduces gross income directly, you receive the full tax benefit even if you take the standard deduction rather than itemizing. The key requirement is that your financial custodian transfers the funds directly to the church.
Direct transfer of securities
Another powerful avenue is the direct transfer of appreciated securities, including stocks, bonds, or mutual funds held for more than one year. Selling an appreciated investment personally triggers capital gains taxes, reducing the total amount available for ministry. By transferring the shares electronically to the church brokerage account instead, you avoid capital gains taxes entirely, and the church receives the full fair-market value. If you itemize deductions, you may also claim a charitable tax deduction based on that full market value on the date of transfer.
Legacy planning
Finally, we can plant seeds for the future through simple legacy planning. Naming the church as a primary or partial beneficiary on an IRA, 401(k), or life insurance policy requires no attorney fees or changes to a will, yet it protects your estate from tax burdens while sustaining ministries for decades to come. If you are revising your will for some reason, please consider adding a clause that benefits our church.
Expanding how we give allows our accumulated blessings to bless others more abundantly. While we are Making Room for More.
Consult your advisor
Because individual financial circumstances and tax rules vary, we encourage you to consult your tax advisor or financial planner as you prayerfully consider taking this next step in your stewardship journey.
Greg Freidline