Have you ever purchased and wrapped the “perfect” gift for your spouse or close friend and watched with excitement as the person tore away the paper? You knew the gift would be a hit, and you could hardly stand it as the anticipation grew.

Then the magic moment came as the box was opened. You delighted in the expression of surprise and joy. You beamed as words of gratitude filled the air. Even though you were not the receiver, you had great fun giving the gift because you knew it was just what the person needed and wanted.

A well-planned charitable gift can bring happiness as well. It starts from a heart thankful for God’s generous spiritual and earthly blessings in Jesus Christ. When you take the time to discover what the needs are and how you can structure your gift to do the most good, you find yourself anticipating the actual gift. You trust it will be a blessing.

The size of the gift is not the most enjoyable part. Our Lord reminds us, “If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:12). A gift that matches a specific need and accomplishes something worthwhile can be enormously rewarding. For example, an endowment contribution that provides ongoing support for generations to come can elicit a mile-wide smile from everyone concerned.

We enjoy helping donors plan cheerful gifts. We even have a free booklet that shows various ways you can make these gifts. Contact your local WELS Christian giving counselor to request this booklet or assistance. Let us help you make the perfect gift for WELS and for you.