So far, 2025 has been a strong year for many major indexes. Depending on individual allocations and cash flows, some clients may have experienced gains. We’re grateful to the Lord for these gains! Seeing investment growth in faith-based portfolios that seek individual and community flourishing are also exciting from a Kingdom perspective, financial growth means greater opportunity for eternal impact.

One natural result of a season like this is higher-than-normal capital gains in nonqualified (taxable) accounts. Because markets have generally been rising, there have been fewer opportunities for tax-loss harvesting to offset gains.

Ugh, more taxes! Nobody enjoys writing a larger check to the IRS. Taxes are rarely something we celebrate. This isn’t anything new, in the New Testament we get a sense for how hated the corrupt tax collectors were and yet Jesus and Paul both acknowledged the duty of paying of taxes.

• Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him. – Mark 12:17
• Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. – Romans 13:7

So feeling bad about taxes isn’t anything new, people have hated taxes for thousands of years! But is there an additional perspective to consider? Ron Blue, a pioneer in Christian financial planning, often reminded us: taxes are not just an expense, they are also an indicator of God’s provision.

Taxes Signal Increase

The Bible says that God is the one who gives us the ability to produce wealth. Consider some of these verses:

• But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth – Deuteronomy 8:18
• The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it. – Proverbs 10:22

How do these verses relate to taxes? Taxes are a byproduct God’s provision. If God wasn’t providing income, you wouldn’t be paying taxes. By all means, let’s plan wisely for taxes, but we can pay taxes with gratitude as a reminder of God’s provision.

Paying taxes means we have experienced increase; it is a direct reflection of realized income, growth, or profits. In other words, the only way we owe more is because we’ve received more.

Think about it: if your portfolio has grown, it means your resources are greater today than they were a year ago. That’s a blessing.

A Stewardship Opportunity

As Christians stewards, we also want to be generous with what God has provided. Faithful stewards don’t close their hands around what God has provided but act as conduits, using the resources God has given to bless others.

If you’ve received extra growth in your portfolio, could this be an opportunity to increase your giving? That’s something to pray about and if you think it is, there are tax-efficient ways to do that, such as using a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). (You can read a post about DAFs here.)(Note: DAFs are irrevocable gifts to a sponsoring charity, may involve fees, and don’t guarantee a current-year deduction or deductibility limits for all donors. Consider your tax advisor regarding eligibility and limits.)

Keeping Perspective

At Beacon Wealth Consultants, we work diligently through prudent planning and tax-loss harvesting to help manage taxable outcomes. But we also encourage you to keep perspective: paying more in taxes this year likely means your portfolio has grown in a meaningful way. That is something to thank God for.

Rather than focusing solely on the tax bill, we invite you to see it as evidence of His blessing, an opportunity to give thanks, and possibly an opportunity to be generous.

As you review your statements and prepare for tax season, we encourage you to rejoice in the growth the Lord has provided, even as you faithfully meet your tax obligations. After all, taxes are one more reminder that God has provided increase.

If you’d like to look at other tax planning possibilities, such as giving to a DAF, give us a call!

Important Information: This material is for general information only and not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice. Consult your tax professional about your specific situation.