When life is full—of work, family, ministry, and more—it's easy to put off planning for the future. Estate planning may not feel urgent today, but it’s one of the most meaningful ways to care for the people and causes you love.
One powerful tool in estate planning is the trust—and while it might sound like something reserved for the wealthy, a trust can be surprisingly practical for individuals and families at all income levels.
Let me give you a quick example.
Meet “Don and Linda,” a retired pastoral couple. They had two grown children—one very responsible with money, and one still figuring things out. They also wanted to leave a meaningful gift to their church’s missions program. By working with an estate planning attorney, Don and Linda created a revocable living trust. This allowed them to:
Avoid probate, so their children didn’t have to deal with court delays or legal fees.
Designate structured distributions for their less financially-savvy child, helping prevent impulsive spending.
Include their church in the trust so a portion of their estate would go directly to global missions—without red tape.
Because they had full control of the trust while living, Don and Linda could make updates as their circumstances changed. And when they passed, their wishes were carried out privately and efficiently. Their children were relieved, and their legacy lived on.
While a will is important, it can’t do everything. Wills go through probate and become public record. Trusts offer more control, privacy, and in some cases, even tax benefits or protection from creditors.
You might also consider a charitable remainder trust if you want to donate to ministry causes while still receiving income from the assets during your lifetime. Or if you have a loved one with special needs, a special needs trust can provide ongoing support without affecting their eligibility for benefits.
Of course, trusts do require some time, paperwork, and legal help to establish. But the benefits often outweigh the costs—especially when peace of mind is on the line.
At Servant Solutions, we’re here to help. Our members have access to free financial planning and online legal tools for basic estate planning through our partnership with Principal and ARAG. If you're considering whether a trust fits your situation, start by reaching out for a free discovery call with one of our financial planners.
From a biblical perspective, utilizing a trust is a way of being a faithful steward of the resources God has entrusted to you, providing for your family and future generations, supporting ministry causes, and ensuring peace among your loved ones. A trust is a wise tool for carrying out God-honoring plans for your estate while reflecting the values of generosity, wisdom, and legacy found throughout Scripture.
If you utilize a trust as a way to honor God with your finances (Proverbs 3:9), care for your family (1 Timothy 5:8), and give generously to the ministries and causes that matter to you (2 Corinthians 9:7), it can be a deeply meaningful part of your estate plan.
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory." Ephesians 3:20
Nate Bowers
Director of Financial Education
Nate Bowers serves as the Director of Financial Education at Servant Solutions. He leads initiatives to engage new and current members, as well as ministry organizations, to address and meet their financial education needs. He also helps advance the organization’s financial planning efforts, offering professional and pastoral care to guide members.
Nate holds an MBA and bachelor’s degree in Finance from Anderson University. Prior to his pastoral calling and ministry, Nate worked in corporate and small business finance, including positions at Lilly and Roche Diagnostics. He and his wife, Stacey, have been married for 23 years and reside in Pendleton, IN. They are proud parents to three teenagers - Samuel, Maximus, and Amelia. In his free time, Nate enjoys spending time with his family and friends, reading, and indulging his love for sports, especially golf and soccer.