Hey, friends! Welcome back to the Insider Journal, where we wrestle with maximizing our eternal outcomes as Christian leaders.

We’ve reached the finale of our six-part series on money, diving into “Die Broke.” Check out the previous episodes that have built up to this most provocative idea. Today, we’re closing with why your biggest Kingdom gift must happen now, not after you’re gone. Let’s wrap this series with bold, biblical truth to steward for eternity.

One day, I was talking with Bob Shank, founder of Priority Living, and he showed me what “die broke” looks like. Bob and his wife Cheri set up a family fund, not to hoard wealth, but to model to their kids and grandkids how to give. They funded the account, then gathered the family to pick Godly ministries that each next gen’er could give to. Together, they’d pray, give, and see the fruit: lives changed, gospel spread. Bob & Cheri weren’t waiting for the will to kick in many years from now; they were stewarding in the present, shaping their family’s legacy for God’s Kingdom while they could see the impact.

Here’s the problem: Too many of us plan to give big after we’re gone. We’re thinking a fat estate gift will seal our legacy. If your plan is to make your largest donation after your death, you’ll get about as much credit as — get this — Bill Gates will for all his philanthropy. Yeah, zero credit in eternity. Why? Because Bill Gates — and any other billionaire giving big in the philanthropy space — hasn’t said “yes” to Jesus. No matter how massive their gifts are, they’re not storing up treasure in heaven. And it’s the same for you and me if we wait to give our biggest gift after we die. 

Inspired by God, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:10,

“We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body.”

God’s judging what we do now, in this life – in the body. Waiting to give through a will hands the keys to someone else — trustees, heirs, maybe the government. God wants to see how you handle it while alive. Right now, Boomers face the greatest wealth transfer in history — $84 trillion moving to Xers and Millennials, often with no Kingdom guidance. Posthumous gifts not only miss eternal reward, they risk zero eternal impact.

So, what’s the action? 

Step 1: Read Inheritolatry by Jim Wise. Jim’s got solid, biblical ideas for arranging your wealth to align with God’s purposes. It’s a game-changer for thinking about legacy.

Step 2: Get your giving game in place now. Whether it’s teaching the next generation or supporting ministries, start moving your money for God’s work today.

Step 3: Build a plan that won’t harm the next generation but enable it for eternal success. There is some very wise advice from Jim Wise in his book. My advice on top of that – give the inheritance to the next generation while you are still alive. This way you can be a coach as they use it, and you can enjoy seeing them grow from it. 

Here’s the resolution: Your biggest Kingdom gift happens now, not after you’re gone. Die broke by giving generously in this life, teaching your family to steward, and trusting God to multiply it. Bob Shank’s fund wasn’t about money—it was about a legacy that lives forever.

This week, add this discussion to your vacation agenda. Collaborate with God and your spouse to get going on a strategy that won’t wait until it’s forgotten or too late.

Don’t let your last check be your biggest. Live so generously that you coach family and shape ministry outcomes before you die. Do this so that our God, who is the ultimate judge, will see your works and count them on the Day of the Lord. Get it all into action, die broke, and may they find our accounts zeroed out!

In your corner,
Jeff

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