When most people think of estate planning, they think of something rich families do to handle big houses, land, and investments. But estate planning is for everyone. It’s about deciding what happens to what God has given you — your time, your money, and your treasures — after you’re gone.
For believers, estate planning is about much more than money. It’s a way to show faith and purpose that can live on after we leave this world. And one of the most powerful ways to do that is by supporting missions giving — helping the gospel go out to the ends of the earth, just as Jesus commanded.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” — Matthew 28:19 (KJV)
Estate planning gives strength and structure to our giving. It takes the hope in our hearts and turns it into a lasting plan that blesses others long after we’re gone. Let’s explore how estate planning can become a powerful mission field in itself.
Understanding What Estate Planning Really Means
Estate planning simply means making decisions now about what happens later. It includes things like:
- Writing a will that directs who receives your things.
- Setting up a trust to manage your money with purpose and protection.
- Naming beneficiaries for your accounts or life insurance. Make a simple beneficiary change and make a missions gift of a portion of your life insurance benefit.
- Planning for charitable gifts that support the ministries and missions you love
Too often, people delay these decisions, thinking they’ll handle them “someday.” But none of us knows what tomorrow will bring.
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” — James 4:14 (KJV)
Making a plan today is not just wise — it’s biblical. God calls His people to be stewards, which means we manage His blessings faithfully. Estate planning allows us to do that carefully and intentionally, instead of leaving it to chance or the courts.
God’s View of Stewardship
Everything we have — every dollar, every home, every heartbeat — truly belongs to God. We are only caretakers for a little while. The Bible reminds us:
“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” — Psalm 24:1 (KJV)
If God owns it all, then our role is to manage it according to His will. Estate planning puts that truth into action. It’s an act of obedience and worship, not fear or pride. When we draft a will or set up a charitable trust, we are saying, “Lord, I want my life, even after my death, to honor You.” That’s a beautiful testimony of faith.
Turning Faith into a Legacy
A legacy is what you leave behind — not just in money, but in ministry, love, and example. Estate planning can make that legacy last for generations. Imagine this: A family decides to give 10% of their estate to missions through their church or a Christian organization. They already tithe faithfully during their lives, but they want God’s work to continue even after they’re gone.
Decades later, their gift might still be helping missionaries share the gospel in new nations, start churches, or support Bible translation projects. They may be gone, but their influence keeps sending light into the darkness. That’s the power of legacy giving — it multiplies your faith.
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” — Matthew 6:19-20 (KJV)
When we invest in eternal causes, we move our treasure — and our hearts — into heaven.
Examples of Faithful Planning
Let’s look at a few simple examples that show how estate planning can bless missions for years to come
- A farmer’s harvest gift:
Tom was a farmer who loved his local church and helped support a missionary in Kenya. Before he passed away, he put part of his farmland into a charitable trust that would sell crops each yearand send the profits to missions. That land still provides food — both for the body and the soul — in more ways than one. - A teacher’s example:
Mary was a schoolteacher who had a modest life but a big heart. She had no children of her own, so she left part of her estate to support Bible schools in South America. Today, her legacy helps young pastors learn the Word and reach their nations for Christ. - A family foundation:
The Johnson family decided to form a family foundation that gives to missions each year. They use their estate plan to fund it, and now their children and grandchildren gather annually to decide which ministries to support. It’s become a family mission that keeps their faith alive across generations. Each of these people made choices that carried the love of Jesus farther than they ever could alone.
How to Include Missions in Your Plan
Building missions giving into your estate plan is easier than you might think. Here are some simple ways to begin:
- Talk with God first.
Spend time in prayer. Ask, “Lord, how can my life’s resources bring the gospel to others after I’m gone?” - Set up a will or trust.
A will or a trust is the foundation of an estate plan. It lets you name who receives your assets and what charities or ministries will be blessed. - Name ministries as beneficiaries.
Most people don’t realize you can list a missions organization as a direct beneficiary on retirement accounts or life insurance policies. This bypasses probate and is easy to set up. - Consider a charitable trust or donor-advised fund.
These tools can provide income during your lifetime while reserving a portion for missions later. They are known as split-interest trusts. Many Christian foundations help believers design these with prayer and integrity. - Talk with your family.
Estate planning is not just about money — it’s about legacy. Share your heart with your loved ones so they understand your desire to support missions. This conversation can inspire them to continue your example of generosity.
Faith Over Fear
Some people hesitate to make an estate plan because they feel uncomfortable talking about death or afraid of making mistakes. But for a believer, planning for eternity is not something to fear — it’s something to celebrate! Estate planning gives you more control over the future.
The Bible gives hope for those who trust in Christ:
“To be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” — 2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV)
Planning ahead doesn’t shorten life; it strengthens the time we have left. It frees us to focus on what truly matters — serving, giving, and loving.
When you put your affairs in order, you gain peace of mind and a sense of purpose. You also protect your family from confusion and conflict, leaving them with clarity and the comfort of your faith.
Passing the Torch
Think for a moment about how faith has traveled through history — from one generation to the next.
Abraham’s obedience led to Israel.
David’s heart prepared the way for Christ.
Paul’s words still reach across centuries to teach and inspire.
Now, it’s your turn.
Every generation must decide what to do with the gospel they’ve received. Estate planning allows us to pass that torch with careful thought and bold faith. By including missions in our plans, we’re saying: “The work of spreading the Gospel will not stop with me.”
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” — 2 Timothy 2:2 (KJV)
Your estate plan can be a teaching tool — a spiritual inheritance that points others to God’s faithfulness.
The Joy of Eternal Investment
In our world, people talk a lot about investments — stocks, bonds, real estate, retirement plans. Those things have value, but they all belong to this life only.
There’s another kind of investment — one that never loses value, never crashes, and never fades. It’s the investment we make in God’s Kingdom.
“He that winneth souls is wise.” — Proverbs 11:30 (KJV)
When you use your estate to support missions, you are literally sending your resources ahead of you — transforming temporary wealth into eternal results. Every life touched, every Bible printed, every soul saved becomes part of your heavenly treasure.
Taking the First Step
If you’ve never thought about estate planning before, start now. Here are three beginning steps you can take this week:
- Make a list of what you own and what you owe. This simple exercise helps you see clearly what God has entrusted to you.
- Write down the ministries and missions you care about most. Which ones make your heart leap for joy when you hear their stories? That passion is often the Spirit’s nudge toward generosity.
- Reach out for help. Talk with a Christian estate planner, attorney, or financial advisor who understands both your faith and your goals. You don’t have to do this alone — wise counsel can help you design a plan that fits your situation.
A Life That Echoes in Eternity
When we give faithfully today, we plant seeds for tomorrow. When we plan our giving, we build a harvest that lasts forever.
Imagine standing before the Lord one day and seeing faces from around the world — people you never met — all there because your estate gift helped send the message of salvation to them.
That’s not just giving. That’s legacy.
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant…” — Matthew 25:21 (KJV)
With one wise, faithful plan, you can do something that echoes through eternity. Estate planning isn’t just about what you leave behind — it’s about what you send ahead
