Leaving a Bequest to Your Church in Your Will: Legacy Giving That Honors God

Quick Answer

Including a bequest to your church in your will is a powerful way to extend your generosity beyond your lifetime. It requires minimal cost (part of your regular estate planning), is flexible (you can change it anytime), and allows you to support your faith community's mission for generations. A simple bequest clause in your will takes minutes to draft and can fund ministries you love.

Biblical Foundation for Legacy Giving

Proverbs 13:22 teaches, "A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children; but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous" (NRSV). While this verse emphasizes family inheritance, the principle extends to spiritual inheritance: leaving a legacy of faith and ministry.

And in 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul instructs Timothy, "What you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well" (NRSV). This is legacy—passing faith and resources to the next generation. A bequest to your church does exactly that.

Jesus commended the widow's gift: "This poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on" (Luke 21:3–4, NRSV). A bequest—giving from your estate after you're gone—reflects this same spirit of sacrificial generosity.

Why Leave a Bequest?

Leaving a bequest to your church offers several advantages:

It multiplies your impact. Your lifetime giving might total $100,000. A bequest of even $50,000–100,000 at death extends your ministry impact decades beyond your lifetime, funding missions, buildings, scholarships, or community programs.

It's tax-efficient. A bequest bypasses probate complications and is deducted from your taxable estate (federal estate tax is currently capped at estates over $13+ million, but this can change). For most Americans, a charitable bequest creates no tax burden but may reduce estate taxes for larger estates.

It's flexible. You can change your will. If circumstances change or your priorities shift, you can adjust the bequest. Unlike lifetime giving commitments, a bequest is entirely under your control until you pass.

It's easy to arrange. Adding a charitable bequest to your will takes minutes and costs minimal additional legal fees (typically $25–50 if added to an existing will).

It honors your faith. A bequest is a final public statement: "My values included faith and generosity. I'm investing in God's kingdom even after my death."

Types of Bequests

You have options for how to structure your bequest:

Specific dollar bequest. "I leave $50,000 to [Church Name]." Simple and clear. The downside: inflation means $50,000 in 20 years is worth less than today.

Percentage bequest. "I leave 10% of my estate to [Church Name]." This grows with your estate; if your net worth increases, so does the bequest.

Contingent bequest. "If my children are provided for, I leave the remainder of my estate to [Church Name]." This ensures family is cared for first, then ministry benefits from what remains.

Designated bequest. "I leave $25,000 to [Church Name] specifically for missions work." This allows you to direct the impact and ensures your values guide the use.

Residuary bequest. "I leave all remaining assets (after family and specific bequests) to [Church Name]." This is powerful: whatever is left after your children inherit becomes a ministry endowment.

How to Include a Bequest in Your Will

Step 1: Consult an estate-planning attorney. Even a simple will should be professionally drafted to avoid errors and disputes. Expect $500–2,000 for a basic will including a charitable bequest. This is money well spent.

Step 2: Decide the type and amount of bequest. Work with your attorney and possibly a financial advisor to determine what's realistic. A rule of thumb: consider bequeathing 5–20% of your estate to charity, depending on family circumstances and church priorities.

Step 3: Identify the recipient accurately. Provide your church's legal name and tax ID (EIN). Example: "The First Church of [City], EIN 12-3456789." Precision prevents disputes.

Step 4: Draft the bequest clause. Your attorney will include language like: "I give, devise, and bequeath to [Church Name], a tax-exempt organization under IRC Section 501(c)(3), the sum of $[amount] to be used for [specific purpose, or] general operations."

Step 5: Sign the will. Most states require two witnesses and notarization. Your attorney will handle this.

Step 6: Inform your church (optional). You might tell your pastor or church leadership: "I've included a bequest to our church in my will to support missions." This isn't necessary, but it allows the church to plan and express gratitude. Alternatively, keep it private.

Step 7: Store the will safely. Keep the original in a safe deposit box, attorney's office, or fireproof safe. Inform your executor where it is.

Real-World Examples

Example 1: The Mid-Career Giver

Robert is 55, earning $150,000/year, with a net worth of $1 million. His children are independent. He wants to support his church's missions program. He includes this in his will:

"I leave $100,000 to [Church Name] specifically to fund international missions, to be used at the discretion of the church's missions committee."

Cost of adding this to his will: $50 (addition to existing will).

Impact: His $100,000 gift might fund 10–20 missionaries for a year, or establish an endowment supporting missions in perpetuity.

Example 2: The Modest Legacy

Maria is a modest earner, never wealthy, but faithfully attended church her whole life. Her net worth is $200,000. She decides to will half her estate to her church. The bequest clause reads:

"I leave one-half of my residuary estate (all remaining property after specific bequests to family) to [Church Name]."

This means if her estate is $200,000 after taxes, the church receives $100,000. Her family receives the other half (their inheritance), and the church receives a gift beyond her lifetime giving.

Example 3: The Endowment Approach

David and Susan, now in their 70s, have significant wealth ($3 million). They've given generously throughout life and want their estate to continue funding their passions. They work with their attorney to create a charitable remainder trust (CRT) and bequest structure:

• They fund a CRT with $500,000 of appreciated securities
• They receive income from the CRT for life
• At their death, remaining assets in the CRT go to their church
• Meanwhile, they include a $1 million bequest in their will
• Total gift at death: $1.5 million+

This is sophisticated planning, but the principle is simple: using their estate to extend their impact.

Addressing Concerns

"Won't this encourage my kids to think I don't care about them?" Not if you explain. Most adult children respect their parents' values. A conversation—"I'm securing your inheritance and also including a bequest to our church, which has shaped my life"—typically elicits appreciation, not resentment.

"What if my church misuses the money?" Bequest agreements can include restrictions: "This gift is for missions work only" or "To be held as endowment, with only investment gains used annually." If you deeply distrust your church, consider naming a specific ministry or cause rather than giving to the institution generally.

"What if my church closes or merges?" Include contingency language: "If [Church Name] ceases operations, this gift shall go to [Denomination or Related Charity]." Your attorney can draft this.

"Is this the same as a living trust?" No. A bequest is part of your will and takes effect at death. A living trust is set up during your lifetime, allowing assets to pass to beneficiaries (including charities) outside probate. Both can include charitable gifts. Consult your attorney about which approach fits your situation.

Tax Considerations

For most Americans, charitable bequests create no tax complication—you simply instruct your executor to give the amount to the church, and it's done.

However, if your estate is substantial ($13+ million in 2026, subject to change), the bequest can reduce federal estate taxes. Consult a tax professional if your estate is large.

Making It Official

After drafting, store your will and inform your executor. Tell them:

• Where the will is located
• That a charitable bequest is included
• The church's legal name and contact information

You don't need to formally notify the church unless you want to. But ensuring clarity prevents confusion at settlement.

The Bigger Picture

Your bequest is not morbid; it's faithful. Psalm 23:6 reminds us, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long" (NRSV). A bequest extends that dwelling—your generosity, your faith, continuing to bless the church long after you've gone.

This is legacy giving. It's powerful, accessible, and deeply biblical. If you love your church, consider a bequest. The cost is minimal; the impact is eternal.