ESTATE PLANNING is a bit like deciding who gets the last slice of pie at Thanksgiving—but with a lot more paperwork. For many, the goal is to make sure the government doesn’t waltz away with a big slice, leaving loved ones with crumbs. Tax avoidance, or minimizing what Uncle Sam can claim, is a common part of this planning.

But there’s a deeper question at play inspired by Jesus’ words: “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:21). How can we honor both our responsibilities to the government and our stewardship before God? And can we manage it all without letting the tax man run off with the whole pie?

GIVING CAESAR WHAT’S HIS (BUT JUST ENOUGH)
The origin of Jesus’ teaching is actually a tax story. When asked about paying taxes to Rome, Jesus held up a coin with Caesar’s face on it and famously said, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.” This was Jesus’ way of saying, “Paying taxes is a believer’s duty, even if they’re burdensome or annoying.”

In today’s context, this principle means paying taxes responsibly—not giving Caesar an extra dime but also not keeping anything that doesn’t belong to us.

When we look at tax avoidance in estate planning, we’re talking about using popular tools like trusts, charitable donations, and planned gifts. These strategies are legal, designed to reduce tax obligations so you can leave more for loved ones. Tax avoidance is not to be confused with tax evasion, which is dodging taxes illegally.

Think of it this way: avoidance is like taking advantage of a sale; evasion is like sneaking an extra item out of the store without paying. We want to avoid (responsibly), not evade!

GIVING TO GOD WHAT’S GOD’S: BEYOND THE TAXES
Jesus’ statement also reminds us that while we owe taxes, we ultimately belong to God. Estate planning then becomes about more than just protecting assets; it’s about using what we have to honor God’s purposes and show gratitude for His blessings.

“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). When we plan with that in mind, we see our resources as a rich opportunity to steward God’s abundant blessings to bless others.

One way to honor God is by incorporating charitable giving. Many people choose to dedicate part of their estate to causes close to their hearts, whether that’s the local church, missions, or other Kingdom ministry. It’s like setting aside part of your last slice of pie to share with those who need it most (except, this time, you don’t have to worry about pie thieves).

TAX AVOIDANCE AND ETHICAL STEWARDSHIP: WALKING THE LINE
Of course, it’s easy to get carried away with tax-saving strategies, turning estate planning into a quest to avoid every penny in taxes. But we don’t want to outsmart ourselves here.

A good question to ask is, “Am I being responsible in my giving to family and community while fulfilling my civic duties?” In other words, if we’re finding loopholes even our accountant’s never heard of, it might be time to pull back.

This is not an “either or” but a “both and” proposition: we render to God and our loved ones responsibly, without exposing ourselves to unnecessary legal risk.

To ignore tax considerations in your estate planning will prevent you from maximizing your gifts to loved ones and Kingdom ministry. You can specifically leverage those appreciating taxable assets, such as investment properties, retirement plans, and stocks, for Kingdom ministry, while also blessing your children.

This is a smart way to leave a legacy of love, faith, and generosity.

To be clear, estate planning isn’t all about taxes. You can also share your faith and set forth priorities for your children to live Christ-honoring lives. Consider adding a note in your will or trust explaining what God has done in your life to spur your children and grandchildren onto righteous living.

At its heart, estate planning is about responsibly providing for those you love, honoring God with what He’s given you, and ensuring that Caesar only gets what he’s due—no more, no less.

With this approach, you can create a plan that makes you feel secure, lets you “render unto Caesar” what is his, and ultimately “render unto God” what is His by aligning your assets with your values.

Please contact our Estate Planning division if you’re interested in maximizing your gifts to your family and the Kingdom, while also avoiding unnecessary tax consequences.