An interfaith guide to planned giving. Planned gifts are typically the largest gifts received by a charity and can transform religious organizations and congregations to become more sustainable, impactful, and vibrant entities for decades to come. Encouraging planned gifts to congregations and religious organizations is essential at this time of tremendous generational wealth transfer; these gifts also provide an opportunity to enhance relationships between supporters and organizations. Many congregations and religious entities fear that they cannot raise these transformational gifts due to a lack of expertise among staff or volunteers, the limited financial resources of their constituents, or the simple discomfort of addressing ultimate issues with donors. Faithful Giving can help change those dynamics. The book is intentionally inclusive of Christian and other faith traditions by offering several case studies from a variety of Christian denominations and other religions, including Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and others.

“That money talks, I’ll not deny. I heard it once, it said ‘goodbye!’” I grew up hearing this saying, and it often made me chuckle. Maybe that’s because on our farm we had plenty of land and livestock but little cash. Once I began pastoring a church, however, the humor in that little jingle began to fade. There is little doubt that one of the great challenges for Christian leaders today is the task of securing adequate funding and other resources for ministry. There are numerous reasons for this, and Brother Vincent Nwankpa does a tremendous job uncovering these and other issues in his new book, The Joy of Faithful and Cheerful Giving: Wonderful Principles to Embrace. Enjoying the read, I found his research to be biblically solid, up-to-date, and relevant to today’s realities. The people in our pastorate were generous. Even though our salary was low, they gave affection, time, energy, food, and faithful support to my wife and me as we began our ministry life together. But along the road, our years in ministry have been a financial struggle, and for most pastors and missionaries today, the difficulties are a real and present danger to their health, wealth, and mission. Kudos to Dr. Nwankpa for taking the time and energy to share biblical wisdom and a lifetime of experience to encourage and teach all of us in Christian service. You are correct, Brother Vincent, when you assert that too little instruction about giving is being given in churches today. It is time for a renewed focus on the basic principles of giving and the joy that comes from giving generously in the body of Christ! Mick Boersma, PhD Professor Emeritus of Christian Ministry and Leadership Talbot School of Theology Biola University January 17, 2021 When you think of giving to the Lord, do you feel burdened? Or do you get excited about the amazing opportunities that will open up when you surrender your resources to His control? In this wonderful little book, Vincent Nwankpa unlocks Biblical secrets about giving that will show you how giving to the Lord and to others is a pathway to joy and victory that you have never known. Putting these principles in practice will not only transform your giving, but also your walk with God for the rest of your life! by Jack Littlefield

Financial advisor Emily G. Stroud knows that money can be one of the great causes of stress in life--but that it doesn't have to be that way. Faithful Finance offers ten life-changing secrets to help you find financial freedom. Many of us feel overwhelmed and ill-equipped to deal with our personal finances. We wonder if we will ever experience financial freedom. We want to make wise decisions and spend money on what matters, but we just don't know how. As a mom, businesswoman, and entrepreneur, Emily has two decades of experience helping people make smart choices about money. Instead of stressing out about finances, you'll discover that money can be a great source of joy, security, and hope. In Faithful Finance, Emily comes alongside you to equip and encourage you to: Develop a savings plan based on your unique goals Make a monthly budget that actually works for you Reduce your overall debt burden Plan for your children's college years Insure your life without fear Leave a legacy through estate planning Encourage you to give generously And most importantly, discover the source of true wealth Presented in a conversational style, Faithful Finance is a practical guide that works in every financial situation, for every income level, at every stage of life. With engaging stories and practical examples, Emily empowers you to make choices that will allow you and your loved ones to enjoy financial freedom for years to come.

Whose Money is it Anyway? He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others." Luke 21:2–3 By the world's standards, two small coins don't amount to much. But the widow in Luke's story didn't just give two small coins—she gave everything she had. Everything we have is our Creator's. In Faithful with Much, authors Tony and Carin Amaradio share their compelling journey from simply seeking wealth to understanding God's heart about money and possessions. Drawing from their vast experience in the financial services industry and wisdom born out of some difficult life lessons, Tony and Carin offer practical, biblical advice on how to think about the challenges of being faithful with our wealth. and, most important, how to give it away. Faithful with Much is a book about how to be wise stewards of God's money. It's a handbook for charitable giving. And more than that, it's a book about radical trust. Are you ready to trust God with your wealth for the good of His kingdom?

Let's face it. Church isn't working. We hear sermons about the abundant life Jesus promised, but how many of us are actually living it? How many of our churches are thriving? How many people in our congregations are experiencing God's blessings? Maybe it's time to call it quits. Quit church? Well, not exactly. Drawing from his experience coaching hundreds of churches toward true growth, Chris Sonksen calls on us to quit our casual, cultural commitment to church as we know it. No more half-hearted attempts to win the favor of God and other people by doing the right thing. No more doing things out of a sense of duty. Instead, Sonksen reveals the spiritual habits that release the blessings of God, both on each individual and on the church. He explains why we struggle to put these practices into action and gives practical solutions to move us forward into health, growth, and maturity.

This is the first full English translation of Marino Sanudo Torsello's Secreta fidelium Crucis, a piece of crusading propaganda following the fall of Acre in 1291, written between 1300 and 1321 and based on the translation edited by Jacques Bongars in 1611. With references to 13th-century Mediterranean history, especially Louis IX of France and Charles of Anjou, it contains a vast amount of cartographical, ethnographical, geographical and nautical information, with unique insights into events and personalities not only in Outremer, but in Western Europe.