Setting Goals
It is a common and helpful practice to use the start of a new year as motivation to set goals and make plans to attain those goals. As Christians, what is our ultimate goal? What did Jesus tell us in Matthew 6:33? “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Certainly this is a worthy and all-encompassing goal for us as Christians.
We’re also told that goals should be detailed, specific, and measurable. How do we satisfy that criteria in light of our main goal to seek God’s kingdom?
Let us remember that all we say and do and are should strain toward seeking God’s kingdom. That means we’ll be busy in the study of his Word and in regular attendance in church where we can hear his Word and receive his sacraments. It means that we’ll be busy about his work of seeking and saving the lost. How is that accomplished?
The Apostle Paul wrote, “You show that you are a letter from Christ . . . written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2 Corinthians 3:3). Jesus put it this way, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). This is what we are—God’s letters who reflect the light of Jesus to a world trying to find its way in darkness.
The psalmist commanded, “Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise” (Psalm 96:2-4). In all our words and attitudes, this should be our goal in our daily lives: to proclaim the goodness, the glory, the greatness of our God.
These goals are also reflected in life in church. Set a goal of being with the Lord in His house of worship every week – Sunday morning or Wednesday evening. Then set the goal to increase your faith in God and your knowledge of His Word by attending some weekly Bible study and/or doing some kind of daily devotion. And then set the goal to increase your weekly offering to the Lord by 1% or 2% and also set aside a special gift for our debt reduction drive this January.
These are goals worthy of setting and ones we can carry out by “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, [who] though he was rich, yet for [our] sakes he became poor, so that [we] through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Epiphany Stewardship Committee
Make Tax-free Distributions from Your IRA for Charitable Purposes
As part of the recent tax law which extends the Bush-era tax cuts, Congress has resurrected a provision that allows people over 70.5 years of age to make tax-free distributions from their traditional or Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) for charitable purposes:
• Qualified charitable distributions from your IRA are not counted as part of your taxable income.
• Avoid being taxed on your minimum required distribution even if you do not itemize deductions.
• Each IRA owner can give up to $100,000 in 2010 and again in 2011. Note: A special rule provides that gifts made by January 31, 2011 may be counted for 2010.
A qualified charitable distribution requires a direct transfer from an IRA to a qualified public charity. WELS Foundation can facilitate this process for donors looking to support WELS ministries by providing a letter of instruction through which donors can direct distributions.
Learn more about this limited-time giving opportunity by contacting your tax advisor, or contact a WELS Christian giving counselor by calling 800-827-5482.
We’re also told that goals should be detailed, specific, and measurable. How do we satisfy that criteria in light of our main goal to seek God’s kingdom?
Let us remember that all we say and do and are should strain toward seeking God’s kingdom. That means we’ll be busy in the study of his Word and in regular attendance in church where we can hear his Word and receive his sacraments. It means that we’ll be busy about his work of seeking and saving the lost. How is that accomplished?
The Apostle Paul wrote, “You show that you are a letter from Christ . . . written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2 Corinthians 3:3). Jesus put it this way, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). This is what we are—God’s letters who reflect the light of Jesus to a world trying to find its way in darkness.
The psalmist commanded, “Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise” (Psalm 96:2-4). In all our words and attitudes, this should be our goal in our daily lives: to proclaim the goodness, the glory, the greatness of our God.
These goals are also reflected in life in church. Set a goal of being with the Lord in His house of worship every week – Sunday morning or Wednesday evening. Then set the goal to increase your faith in God and your knowledge of His Word by attending some weekly Bible study and/or doing some kind of daily devotion. And then set the goal to increase your weekly offering to the Lord by 1% or 2% and also set aside a special gift for our debt reduction drive this January.
These are goals worthy of setting and ones we can carry out by “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, [who] though he was rich, yet for [our] sakes he became poor, so that [we] through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Epiphany Stewardship Committee
Make Tax-free Distributions from Your IRA for Charitable Purposes
As part of the recent tax law which extends the Bush-era tax cuts, Congress has resurrected a provision that allows people over 70.5 years of age to make tax-free distributions from their traditional or Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) for charitable purposes:
• Qualified charitable distributions from your IRA are not counted as part of your taxable income.
• Avoid being taxed on your minimum required distribution even if you do not itemize deductions.
• Each IRA owner can give up to $100,000 in 2010 and again in 2011. Note: A special rule provides that gifts made by January 31, 2011 may be counted for 2010.
A qualified charitable distribution requires a direct transfer from an IRA to a qualified public charity. WELS Foundation can facilitate this process for donors looking to support WELS ministries by providing a letter of instruction through which donors can direct distributions.
Learn more about this limited-time giving opportunity by contacting your tax advisor, or contact a WELS Christian giving counselor by calling 800-827-5482.
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