Tearing down storehouses

Charity: How to leave a legacy and die broke | Warren Cole Smith

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F. Scott Fitzgerald said, "Rich people are different from the rest of us."  Ernest Hemingway wryly added:  "Yes, they have more money."

Rich people who want to give away their wealth in their lifetimes have special problems. Bill Gates famously said, "Giving away billions of dollars without ruining the organizations you give to is not easy."

That's why a small industry has arisen to help Christian philanthropists give away their fortunes in ways that are consistent with their values, produce what they call "kingdom returns," and don't create a culture of dependence on the part of the ministries supported.

One such organization is Colorado Springs-based Excellence in Giving. Al Mueller, the president and founder, works with what he calls "high capacity families" to clarify their giving objectives and track the results. "We typically work with Christian families that can give away $1 million or more per year," Mueller said.