Giving can make you feel whole

Hal and Carolyn* both grew up in Christ-centered homes, where they learned the value of giving back to God. “My father introduced me to the ministry of Christian giving,” says Hal. His father wanted to give a gift annuity, but first asked his children if they needed providing for. “I told him, ‘Dad you raised us to take care of ourselves. Take care of mom and give to the Lord.’ ” The gift annuity did both—it provided for Hal’s mother, who lived until her 90s, and the rest went for ministries.

When Hal and Carolyn discussed how to give to the Lord, they looked at his parents’ example of a charitable gift annuity, but decided on something else: a gift of stock, which had greatly appreciated over the years. “They did not need the future income from a CGA, so they chose an outright gift,” says Pastor Dave Dolan, a WELS Christian Giving Counselor. By giving the stock, neither the couple nor the synod would be liable for the taxes on the increased value.

Along with the gift, they sent along a letter advising the foundation how to divide the stock gift. While they support many WELS ministries, some are extra close to their hearts. “The seminary is always on the top,” says Carolyn. And so is Calvary Academy. “If we can hopefully help young people at that age, maybe we won’t need to support them in prison ministry.”

Though tax benefits are nice, they weren’t the reason for the gift. Hal and Carolyn love to support the work of the church. “Gifting is much more than just about the cash value,” says Hal. “It can make you feel whole.”

* Names have been changed to protect donor confidentiality.