This is an age of the “stimulus” package. We as Christians remember the ultimate "package" was given to us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This stimulates us to “go forth and teach all nations.”
These days we look for others to do the “heavy” work, often hiring someone else to do the hard labor. We live in a time of “working smarter not harder.” and At some point we decided more should come from less. Missions are hard work and hard labor—balanced by the joyous fulfillment of seeing men, women and children brought into the arms of Jesus Christ for eternity through the power of the Holy Spirit. We need to be on constant guard against complacency, always willing to spread the Gospel to the lost, searching for new ways to reach out and teach.
Recently John Meyer, gift planning counselor for the South Wisconsin District, was in St. Louis at the LCMS International Center. He and other LCMS Foundation gift planning counselors from around the country met for continuing education, stewardship training and spiritual refreshment. At an awards celebration, John was recognized for his accomplishments in gift planning and received the leadership award for gifts to ministry.
On Oct. 3, 2008, President Bush signed legislation that could greatly impact church members in their stewardship life and thought process. The Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008 will allow individuals to donate up to $100,000 from an individual retirement account (IRA) without increasing taxable income. This donation/distribution counts toward the donor’s Minimum Required Distribution for the year as well.