Faith & Finance with Rob West
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." - Colossians 3:23 It’s easy to assume this verse applies mainly to our working years, urging us to give our best on the job. But notice—it doesn’t come with an expiration date. Today, Jeff Haanen joins us to explore a different kind of retirement. Jeff Haanen is an entrepreneur and writer who builds companies and serves leaders committed to healing the world through their work. He is the author of An Uncommon Guide to Retirement: Finding God’s Purpose for the Next Season of Life and Working from the Inside Out: A Brief Guide to Inner Work That Transforms Our Outer World.
It’s easy to assume this verse applies mainly to our working years, urging us to give our best on the job. But notice—it doesn’t come with an expiration date. Today, Jeff Haanen joins us to explore a different kind of retirement.
Jeff Haanen is an entrepreneur and writer who builds companies and serves leaders committed to healing the world through their work. He is the author of An Uncommon Guide to Retirement: Finding God’s Purpose for the Next Season of Life and Working from the Inside Out: A Brief Guide to Inner Work That Transforms Our Outer World.October 21, 2025
How can we be content? By knowing we “can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us.” No matter what happens wi...
October 21, 2025
For many people, contentment feels just out of reach—always tied to the next raise, the next purchase, or the next seaso...
October 20, 2025
Is it possible to give too much? Rob West says you might be surprised. And when we give as we’re able, with wisdom and i...
What if retirement wasn't the end of something, but the beginning of something far greater?
The Bible doesn't speak extensively on retirement, but it does offer a framework. In Numbers, older Levites transitioned their tabernacle responsibilities to the younger men. This isn’t “quitting”; it’s wise delegation and reorientation.
There’s a three-part vision in light of this:
The cultural idea that “elderly” equals obsolete. In biblical tradition, “elder” is a position of nobility, wisdom, and honor—those who teach, guide, and bless at the city gates.
We encourage retirees to start with rest, not for rest’s sake, but to re-center and listen for God’s leading. Just as Leviticus 25 calls for rest in agricultural rhythms, so too should we practice rest in life’s transitions.
It’s recommended to initially take 3–12 months for rest and spiritual renewal before re-engaging. This time creates space to reflect, give thanks, and seek God’s direction.
Rather than merely saving to escape responsibility, we want to propose a new vision: communities of elders who lead, mentor, and give generously—of time, talent, wisdom, finances, and prayer. Retirement then becomes not a retreat from purpose, but a re-engagement with it.
So what’s next?
Churches need to initiate conversations about the non-financial aspects of retirement, including mentoring, grandparenting, part-time work, volunteering, and more. Financial advisors can also play a key role, helping clients envision what they want their 60s, 70s, and 80s to look like, beyond the balance sheet.
It’s time we shifted the retirement conversation from numbers to calling.
Because retirement isn’t the end—it’s the start of a new mission. Let’s live it well.
© 2025 FaithFi: Faith & Finance. All rights reserved.