More Than Just Money: Passing on a Godly Legacy with "Wealth Transfer"
Are you considering what you will leave behind for future generations? Perhaps you've accumulated financial assets, built a business, or desire to steward what you have in accordance with your faith. The book "Generational Wealth Transfer" by Peter J. Briscoe offers a profound and biblically grounded perspective on this crucial topic, suggesting that passing on true wealth extends far beyond mere financial wealth.
This isn't just another guide to estate planning. "Generational Wealth Transfer" encourages us to see wealth as multifaceted, encompassing not only financial and physical resources but also the spiritual and relational aspects of our lives. The book reminds us that all wealth ultimately belongs to God, who is the creator and sustainer of everything. Recognising this fundamental truth shifts our focus from ownership to stewardship: we are managers of God's resources, entrusted to use them in ways that honour Him and benefit others.
A central theme explored in the book is the notion of responsibility to leave an inheritance for one's children. This inheritance includes not only material possessions but also wisdom, integrity, and faith. It encourages us to reflect on the kind of legacy we wish to create, one that encompasses not merely financial aspects but also spiritual and ethical dimensions.
"Generational Wealth Transfer" delves into the practical aspects of preparing the next generation to receive and steward wealth wisely. It introduces the concept of the "4 C's": creativity, community, core values, and capital, as essential elements in equipping heirs to manage their inheritance responsibly and to live lives of meaning and impact. The book also emphasises the "Treasure Principle," encouraging Christians to view wealth as a tool to further God's Kingdom and to lay up treasures in heaven through generosity and service.
The book is structured into thirteen chapters, each addressing a key aspect of wealth transfer:
1. Title: Whose Wealth Is It?: This foundational chapter likely explores the biblical concept of ownership, emphasising that all wealth ultimately belongs to God. 
2. Transfer: Generational Wealth Transfer: This section delves into the idea of passing on not only financial assets but also values and wisdom to future generations. 
3. Treasure: An Eternal Impact: This chapter focuses on how wealth can be used for eternal purposes, aligning financial decisions with spiritual goals. 
4. Tutelage: Transfer of Wisdom: Beyond monetary inheritance, the book emphasises the importance of imparting financial and life wisdom to heirs.
5. Treatment: Loving Equally, Treating Differently: This chapter likely addresses the complexities of fairness versus equality when distributing assets among family members. 
6. Talking: Communicating Intentions & Expectations: The importance of clear and open communication within families regarding estate plans is explored here. 
7. Timing: When to Transfer: This section provides guidance on the practical considerations and biblical insights concerning the timing of wealth transfer. 
8. Tools and Techniques: What & When: This chapter likely covers various practical tools and methods for estate planning. 
9. Tax: Planning: Addressing the realities of taxation, this section offers a Christian perspective on responsible tax planning. 
10. Trade: Transferring Your Business: For those with businesses, this chapter guides the unique challenges and opportunities associated with transferring a business within a Christian framework. 
11. Testament: The Will and Letter of Instruction: This important chapter focuses on the legal and practical aspects of wills and other instructive documents.
12. Testimony: A Godly Legacy: The book culminates by emphasising the ultimate goal: leaving a legacy that reflects godly values and promotes the Kingdom of God.
13. Traps: Pitfalls in the Wealth Transfer Process: This concluding chapter warns readers about common mistakes and challenges to avoid in estate planning.