Estate Planning – is it giving?

There are multiple decisions wealthy men and women who love the Lord have to make as they plan for the end of their lives. One of the first questions is: will I leave an inheritance to my children or give to charity through estate planning? While this is a rather new question, our culture has for at least a generation stressed that it was normal to live all that you had to your children. Is that really the best idea?
Randy Alcorn in The Treasure Principle: Discovering the Secret of Joyful Giving (LifeChange Books)argues that leaving an inheritance to your children is potentially a bad idea. The children could be poor stewards or even simply not have the same attitude toward giving as the parents. Unlike biblical times, most children are near financial stability at middle age and are not reliant upon their parents’ inheritance. The result then is the option to give to charity through the estate.
While this may be an improvement from the traditional inheritance model, there are other concerns associated with estate planning. First, giving is really a joy and letting the opportunity pass to be blessed by giving is a mistake. Second, in your life you have the opportunity to be a blessing, example, and leader to others, particularly to the community, your children, and your church. Third, why wait for the one who received the gift to want to know who has decided to bless them just for them to find out that the giver died.
Isn’t it better to give during your lifetime? Instead of giving through your estate, consider allowing the natural mentoring and relationship form between the giver and the receiver and let God receive the glory.