Sanford Coggins

I’m Sanford Coggins, a Real Estate Investor in Dana Point, California and the CEO of VisionWise Capital. I have an amazing wife, a beautiful daughter, and two manly sons. People might be surprised to know that I'm able to rally as an extrovert, but I refuel in private.

I believe God is indeed generous. He gave his one and only son to die in our stead in a most painful way. No one has ever given more. I also see that God is purposeful and shrewd in his giving. In the parable of the talents we see God rewards profitable servants. (Matthew 25:21-23) Therefore, I desire to be discerning in my practice of giving.

Giving has provided a sense of joy for as long as I can remember. But a turning point occurred when I realized that it was the Lord who expressed his favor when I gave from a heart of empathy or a spirit of obedience. I was unaware that it was the Holy Spirit who gave me the joy in response to what I was doing. Learning this gave giving more validity and allowed me the freedom to widen my giving constraints.

The cautions of wealth are appropriated to the person who has lost their God-given identity to "things". The temptation has been the same since Genesis 3. When we don't know who we are in Christ, then we will be defined by what we think about most. The paradigm is like that of the alcoholic: First the man takes a drink; then the drink takes a drink; eventually the drink takes the man. When we allow our identity to be defined by anything other than God it consumes us.

There are many things throughout the Bible, which God says are greater than silver and gold. One example is Proverbs 22:1 says, "A good name is better to be desired than great riches." Taking God at his word is foundational for living a life of wisdom. The choice we face is to live in constant pursuit of the treasures of this world or treasure the one who made the world.

What I wish I knew at 25 about giving and generosity was that it pleased God and that it is connected to reaping. 2 Corinthians 9:6 talks about giving by saying, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” The clear truth here is that God allows us to participate in sowing and reaping; it is our choice to sow a spiritual harvest by giving towards his kingdom work or forgo the blessings of reaping in his kingdom.

One daily habit or routine that has been especially powerful for me is I plan my next day the night before. My discipline is to write in my journal the three most important things I want to get done the next day and then I begin a new day with crystal clarity right from the start.

My wife and I pray for and give financially to ministries that feed, clothe, and educate the poor as well as to those who preach and teach godly wisdom with a conviction to give God the glory. 

One burden on my heart is for more men and women to discern that freedom is not the right to do what you want to do, but the power to do the right thing. By God’s grace we have been set free from the bondage of pride, covetousness, and lust; in order to run in the way of righteousness. I pray for us all to pursue freedom, as well as to live in this victorious way Jesus has purchased for us.

3 words I would choose to be remembered by are wise, good, and impactful.