Generous Giving

350 year old oak tree, Louisiana, photographer unknown

The Giving Tree

New Orleans and the surrounding areas are filled with huge, ancient oak trees like the one pictured above.  They remind me of the children's book, The Giving Tree, written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein.  Although meant for a young audience, it carries some deep messages about sacrificial giving.  It challenges us to consider our thoughts on giving and to reflect on how we can serve others in need.  

Generous Giving

As a financial advisor, I'm continually considering how to maximize the income and investments of our Clients.  I also concentrate on helping them minimize their taxes and eliminate unnecessary expenses.  As we join each Client in their stewardship journey, we're centrally focused on helping them make the very most of the financial blessings the Good Lord has given them.  Our aspiration for our Clients, as stated on our website, is found in the meaning of Acadia:  "land of plenty, land of peace." 

So how does giving fit into a financial plan and your stewardship journey?  Let's look at some of the benefits and blessings of giving:

• Giving breaks the power of money:  If you are willing to let go of money, then it no longer has any control over you.
• Giving is the key to becoming financial free:  Financial freedom is found, in part, by being content with what you have.  Deciding how much is enough for your needs, and then sharing the rest is a true mark of financial freedom.
• Giving is commanded in Scripture both for the benefit of the giver and recipient: "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first-fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."  (Proverbs 3:9-10)
• Giving reflects recognition of God's ownership:  “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it."  (1 Corinthians 10:26)
• Lasting legacy:  Through sustained, focused giving you can forever alter the lives of many people for the better.  If searching for such organizations, we encourage you to consider:
  • International Justice Mission
  • Voice of the Martyrs
  • Prison Fellowship
• Tax savings:  Some people give to save on their taxes, while others don't want to feel motivated by this benefit.  However you view this, Acadia will help ensure that we maximize your giving from a tax savings perspective.
• Improved cash flow:  The tax savings mentioned above can improve your cash flow, which allows for additional financial benefits.

These are all great reasons and benefits of giving, but not everyone feels called to give, and some feel guilty whenever the topic comes up.  It is one of the more personal decisions related to your finances.  So, reflect, pray and plan.  Don't give for the wrong reason, but also don't avoid giving if you feel compelled to do so.  The blessings are both immediate and long lasting.

Would you like to talk about your financial plan and giving strategy?  Schedule yourself for a meeting so we can build a successful plan that reflects your needs and interests.

Laissez les bons temps rouler

Mary's Recipe Corner

Enjoy one of my wife's favorite recipes:  

Carrot Cake Pancakes with Cream Cheese Spread

We had two family traditions that involved pancakes. I always made them for breakfast for the kids on the first day of school, and Bill and the kids made them every Sunday for brunch after church. Bill generally stuck to more traditional pancakes (often with the addition of chocolate chips), but I liked to try a variety of recipes. Below is a “Mary pancake recipe” that was a big hit in our family. Enjoy!

Pancakes-
1-1/4 cups flour
2 TBSP chopped pecans (optional- toast the pecans)
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ginger
1 egg
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup grated carrots
1 tsp vanilla

Cream Cheese Spread-
4 oz cream cheese, room temp
1/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
2 TBSP milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
Dash cinnamon

Combine flour, pecans, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and ginger. In another bowl combine egg, brown sugar, buttermilk, carrots and vanilla. Gently stir together, but don’t over mix. Pour on greased griddle (350 degrees). Flip when bubbles appear on the surface. Cook on other side until golden.

Mix the first four ingredients of the spread and sprinkle with the cinnamon.

Serve pancakes with maple syrup and cream cheese spread.

Note- this recipe doesn’t make a lot, so you may need to double it.

Bon appétit!

For Art's Sake

If you grow up in New Orleans you learn to appreciate art (and food and music and parades, etc.), so it seems appropriate to share a bit of art with our readers.  

Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree has struck a deep note with many readers, both children and adults alike.  So much so, that artist Buki Schwartz created a group of large-scale metal sculptures that reflect the message of the book. The sculptures are located in a public park in Holon, Israel.

The series of sculpted trees consists of giant metal pipes painted red; a mirror is attached to the end of every tree branch, thereby reflecting surrounding nature. The eight sculptures describe the process the tree undergoes in the story and the results of the relationship the tree has with the boy. 

The Giving Tree, Lavon Park, Holon, Created by Buky Schwartz in 2002