Proverbs 13.22 says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children…” Does this mean that an inheritance for grandchildren is mandated?
Should Inheritance Be a Windfall?
Inheritance. It’s a concept as old as time. People die. They leave their stuff behind. Typically those closest to the deceased receive the property. Throughout history, however, there have been many types of inheritance systems. Some of those systems provide for common ownership. However, for those systems where individual property rights are lifted up—like the United States, the concept of …
Can You Envision Generations You Cannot See?
When you contemplate your family life and what you would consider to be success, can you think beyond grandchildren, even great-grandchildren?
How Charities Can Respond to Trump’s Tax Breaks
In the April 2017 issue of Chronicle of Philanthropy, Eugene Steuerle writes a thought-provoking article called “Charities Need to Increase Giving, Not Just Ask for Tax Breaks.” His point is simple: in the wake of potential tax breaks offered by Trump’s tax plan, charities need to do more to encourage generosity. His article comes amid a current reality: charitable giving …
Would Your Grandchildren Vote to Lose the Business?
As the Bible winds to a close, the apostle John writes to his personal friend Gaius. His purpose is to check on the believers gathered in that community. John writes, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4) John’s sentiment is powerful and shared by any parent or mentor. …
Lose Your Company or Sacrifice Your Values?
What would you do? In 2012, Hobby Lobby faced a fundamental dilemma. The Affordable Care Act mandated that Hobby Lobby provide certain contraceptive drugs including those that would induce abortion. Hobby Lobby agreed to provide contraceptives, but not those that would take life. However, under the ACA, if Hobby Lobby did not agree to provide the abortion-inducing drugs, they would …
Leaving Wealth to Children—Examples from the Real World
He’s famous for it. William Buffett pledged $31 billion to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation—instead of leaving it to his children. Buffett has often said that parents should leave their children enough to do anything they want but not so much that they do nothing at all. But what about others besides Buffett? A USA Today article entitled, Should …
The Jonathan Edwards Legacy—Why?
Perhaps you’ve read about it? The profound legacy of Jonathan Edwards. Edwards was the renowned preacher of the 1700s. He and his wife, Sarah, had 11 children. Nearly 150 years after his death, A.E. Winship, educator and pastor, decided to trace the lineage of Edwards. His legacy included the following: 1 U.S. Vice President 3 U.S. Senators 3 governors 3 …
Would You Take in a Dying Child?
Taking in foster kids can be hard. Really hard. It’s an up and down emotion of taking in and letting go. But can you imagine taking in a dying child—one that no one else will take in? The February 8, 2017, LA Times tells the story of Mohamed Bzeek. He’s a Libyan born Muslim living in Azusa, CA. For two …
Stop Overspending and Start Raising Happier Kids
Brett Graff is an economist and author. She’s also the author of Not Buying It: Stop Overspending and Start Raising Happier, Healthier, More Successful Kids. She writes with humor and yet some cutting advice. “If your kids are like most—in the sense that they have human brains—then they’re probably tired of the gazillion dollars worth of stuff you’ve bought them over …