GENEROSITY TODAY
Honor God. Provide for Family. Support Ministry.
Dear
Friend,
I’m astounded by the power of generosity to overcome negative feelings.
I have heard this so often from our clients. They share how in the middle of challenging circumstances, they’ve made decisions to give, and it completely changed their outlook.
For many people, the past several months have been particularly difficult. With so many divisive issues and opinions, there are countless reasons to be full of angst.
Through it all, however, I continue to see God’s people joyously and faithfully invest resources into Kingdom projects. People like you understand that the remedy for our deepest needs won’t come from the government, political viewpoints, or worldly solutions. Instead, you put your hope in God, faithfully participating in His eternal work.
You have learned the secret of contentment and blessing, as explained by Jesus himself. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35).
Thank you for allowing us to partner with you as you continue to invest in God’s Kingdom. It is our joy and honor to serve you.
Grateful to serve you,
James Bakke, J.D. Executive Director
Generosity Today is a quarterly publication of Barnabas Foundation, designed to help Christians experience greater Kingdom impact through effective, purpose-filled generosity.
To request additional, complimentary copies to share with your friends, family or church, email info@BarnabasFoundation.org, call 888.448.3040 ext. 111, or write to us using the address below. Attn: Generosity Today Editor
About Generosity Today
Concrete Foundations
Ozinga’s “Clean, Quick, Seamless” Giving Solution
Residents of the Midwest and southern Florida likely recognize the name “Ozinga” from their iconic, red and white striped concrete mixer trucks. What they may not know, however, is that behind those trucks is a story of hard work, Kingdom-oriented service and generosity spanning multiple generations.
“My great-grandfather, Martin Sr., came from the Netherlands to Chicago in 1893 with his family,” says Marty Ozinga IV, the fourth-generation CEO of the company. They eventually settled in the small village of Evergreen Park. Martin grew up helping his family run their small, family-owned vegetable peddling business.
“By learning the ropes of a small, mom-and-pop delivery business, he became entrepreneurial at a young age,” explains Marty.
In 1928, Martin Sr. went on to establish a coal delivery business, using the skills he’d learned as a child. Five generations and 96 years later, Marty Ozinga IV, alongside his five brothers and one cousin, continues to maintain his great-grandfather’s legacy, serving the community with ready-mix concrete, building materials and logistics solutions.
“We’ve taken great pride in the business and see it as part of our calling,” says Marty IV. “My grandfather would often talk about how this business is for the honor and glory of God. First and foremost, that’s what it’s about.”
According to Marty, there is one non-negotiable that has remained constant across generations of the family business: donating to charitable organizations and giving back to the community.
“My dad would always say, ‘We can change all kinds of things, but that’s the one thing I don’t want to ever meddle with,’” remembers Marty. “No matter how hard times get—and we’ve gone through some hard times financially—this is a commitment that we’ve made.”
Barnabas Foundation’s Stewards Fund (a donoradvised fund) helps the Ozingas streamline and simplify their corporate giving. All their business contributions go into a single giving account. From there, they can recommend grants to various organizations – whether it’s for college scholarships,
hospital equipment, neighborhood initiatives or hundreds of other worthy causes.
“The Stewards Fund is a good way to administrate what we’re trying to accomplish,” says Marty. “It’s clean, quick and seamless.”
Through their Stewards Fund, Ozinga also has access to Barnabas Foundation’s “back office” team to help facilitate and manage charitable gifts on their behalf. Additionally, it allows the Ozinga family a method to give from their hearts anonymously, a feature they use often.
“Our whole purpose is to be in relationship with the One who made us, to honor Him and love Him,” says Marty. “It’s really important to appreciate the bigger picture of all God has in store for us.”
Like the generations that have come before him, Marty is motivated out of love and gratitude for the many ways that the Lord continues to provide for the company.
“I am absolutely convinced that there is a correlation between obedience and blessing,” says Marty. “Ultimately, we don’t have anything without God. It’s all His. We will continue to try to honor Him with whatever He chooses to entrust us with.”
“The Stewards Fund is a good way to administrate what we’re trying to accomplish. It’s clean, quick and seamless.” - Marty Ozinga IV
The Secret to Peace
Finding Calm in the Chaos
From the moment he shouted the words, he regretted their absurdity.
It had been a bad day—a very bad day. A thankless job, leaky faucets, and traffic citation kind of day. A why-did-I-ever-get out of bed day.
Adding insult to injury, he was wearing his last resort, worn-out socks, and they had once again slumped to his heel. Exasperated, the man yanked the limp cotton stockings back to their proper position. Then, with unbridled passion, he bellowed his rage to the world.
“These SOCKS are RUINING my LIFE!”
When We Reach the End of Our Rope
We’ve all been there, right? That moment of frustration, hopelessness, bitterness, and utter done-ness when we reach the end of our rope.
Occasionally, in hindsight, we recognize those problems were as piddly as slouching socks. Other times, the obstacles, setbacks and situations remain justifiably deflating.
Take, for instance, our politically divisive, economically unstable, war-torn and disaster-ridden global climate. Just five minutes of watching the news could make anyone crumble in defeat!
When all hope is gone, when everything seems lost, of this we can be sure: God is faithful.
God is good. (1 Chronicles 16:34) He cannot be shaken. (Isaiah 54:10) He never grows tired or weary. (Isaiah 40:10) God is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. (Revelation 1:8)
His promises never fail. (Joshua 21:45)
The Not-So-Secret Solution
Considering these truths, how, then, shall we respond?
In the words of the Apostle Paul – who faced more than a few bad days himself – “we do not lose heart…We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV
since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (See 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.)
This is the not-so-secret solution to finding peace: fixing our eyes on Him.
God is not surprised by our circumstances, nor is He derailed by whatever challenges we might face. No election, recession, transgression, aggression or oppression could ever stand in God’s way.
So, keep moving, keep giving, keep doing the work to which God has called you. Live and give as if He can do the impossible because, indeed, He will.
God is in control, and His love remains the same— yesterday, today and forever.
God is not surprised by our circumstances, nor is He derailed by whatever challenges we might face.
UNLOCK THE POWER OF GIVING STOCK
3 Key Benefits to Multiply Your Impact
As the year draws to a close, many Christians seek ways to maximize their charitable giving. One of the most impactful strategies is donating appreciated stock. This approach supports the causes close to your heart and offers unique financial benefits to enhance the impact of your generosity.
1. Amplify Your Giving Power
Donating stock can make a significant gift without dipping into your cash reserves. This allows you to maintain liquidity while contributing meaningfully to your favorite ministries.
2. Enjoy Immediate Tax Advantages
When you give appreciated stock that you’ve held for at least a year, you’re eligible for a charitable deduction based on its current market value. This can lead to substantial tax savings, helping you give more effectively and efficiently.
3. Bypass Capital Gains Taxes
One of the most compelling benefits of giving stock is avoiding capital gains taxes. If you were to sell the stock, you’d owe taxes on the appreciated value. By donating it directly instead, you eliminate that tax burden, allowing the full value of your stock to support Kingdom work.
Giving stock is a powerful way to align your financial resources with your values, enabling you to maximize the impact of your generosity.
Ready to Learn More?
Request a copy of “Giving Appreciated Assets” by emailing info@barnabasFoundation.org or call 888.448.3040.
YEAR-END GIVING STRATEGIES
FREE ONLINE EVENT!
November 6, 11 a.m. (Central)
Discover end-of-the-year strategies to unlock the power of your generosity!
During this free, approximately 20-minute event, Barnabas Foundation’s Cindi Riemersma will share tax-wise strategies to maximize your impact, streamline your giving and support your favorite Kingdom causes.
Comfort and Joy
Hassle-Free Giving Through the Stewards Fund
Reclaim precious moments and cheer for your family while spreading the love to all your favorite causes!
The Stewards Fund (a donor-advised fund) will help you reduce the time, hassles, and stress spent on supporting the ministries and charities close to your heart. Benefit, instead, from the gifts of simplicity, flexibility, and tax-wise generosity.
Like a charitable giving account, you can give cash, stock, real estate or other appreciated assets into a Stewards Fund account. Then, at a time that works best for you, you can request grants to all the causes close to your heart.
Compared to other donor-advised funds, the Stewards Fund is…
• Aligned with your Christian values. Your gifts will support everything you stand for, nothing you don’t.
• Customer service oriented. Real, “live” people will answer your calls and emails, and they will quickly respond to your questions or concerns.
• Cost-effective. There are no hidden fees or required balance to maintain after your initial contribution of $10,000 or more.
Ready to restore the comfort and joy of supporting all your favorite ministries? We’d love to show you how!
BA RNABAS ASK
Q: Can I give to a secular charity through the Stewards Fund?
A: Yes! Whether your passions include the symphony, your alma mater, or a local pet shelter, you can give to most secular 501(c)(3) organizations, as long as your gift is not for a mission or project in conflict with Barnabas Foundation’s statement of Christian faith, principles or values.
Furthermore, the Stewards Fund allows you to support your church and other faith-led ministries that some secular foundations and donor-advised funds will no longer allow you to fund. Learn more about the Stewards Fund and distribution guidelines at BarnabasFoundation.org.
Got Questions?
Phone a Friend!
• What year-end giving options are right for me?
• When is the last day I can give stock, real estate or other assets?
• What do I need to know when making a year-end stock gift?
• When is the last day I can mail a check?
If you have questions or need assistance with year-end giving, we’re always here to help! Call 888.448.3040 or email info@BarnabasFoundation.org.
