Stewarding Retirement

That’s a helpful way to think about our later years. As we age, certain types of work may no longer be possible. Energy changes. Capacity changes. Responsibilities change. But our purpose in God’s kingdom does not expire.

The same hands that once built, typed, managed, served, or led can now mentor, teach, encourage, pray, and support. The same heart that once poured itself into a career can now pour itself into people.

Maybe that means volunteering with a ministry that reflects your passions. Maybe it means mentoring young professionals or young parents. Maybe it means serving more faithfully in your church, caring for aging parents, helping with grandchildren, or simply being more available to encourage others.

Whatever the expression, the heart of stewardship remains the same: offering your time, wisdom, experience, and resources for the glory of God.

Faithful Presence Matters

Think of Simeon and Anna in Luke 2. Both were advanced in years, and yet both were living with expectancy and devotion. Simeon was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. Anna worshiped with fasting and prayer, night and day.

Their lives remind us that faithful presence is a powerful gift. God does not retire His servants. He repurposes them.

That does not mean retirement has to be frantic or overfilled. This is not about proving your value through constant activity. In God’s economy, usefulness is not measured by productivity, but by faithfulness.

That’s a word many of us need to hear. Our culture often measures significance by title, output, income, and visible achievement. But God sees differently. He sees the quiet prayer, the faithful encouragement, the wisdom shared across the table, the hospitality, the generosity, and the steady presence in the life of a child, a neighbor, a church member, or a younger believer.

Those things may not always make headlines, but they matter deeply in the kingdom of God.

Stewarding the Freedom Retirement Brings

If you’re approaching retirement, one of the wisest questions you can ask is not merely “What am I done with?” but “What am I now free to do?”

And if you’re already retired, perhaps today is an opportunity to revisit that question.

What experience has God entrusted to you? What wisdom has He formed in you? What time do you have now that you didn’t have before? What relationships could be strengthened? What people could be encouraged? What ministry could be supported?

Those are not leftovers. They are stewardship opportunities.

Retirement may look different from your working years, but it is no less important. In fact, it may become one of the most spiritually rich chapters of your life if you choose to steward it well.

Retire to deeper fellowship with Christ. Retire to greater availability for others. Retire to prayer, encouragement, generosity, service, and wisdom. Retire to a life that continues to bear fruit.

Our Ultimate Treasure

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• I’m retiring from my government job on July 31 and have money in the TSP. Should I leave it there, roll it into a traditional IRA, or consider a Roth IRA? I’d also like to take some cash out for home repairs. What’s the wisest way to handle this?
• A few months ago, the company managing my retirement fund had a data breach, so I signed up for two years of free monitoring through Kroll. Now my bank has notified me of another breach and is offering 12 months of free monitoring through CyEx. Is CyEx reputable, and is it okay to have two different monitoring services at the same time?
• I lost my job yesterday after nearly 10 years. I’m 70 and already receiving Social Security, while my wife is 64 and not yet eligible for Medicare. I have a 401(k) and stock share accounts from my former employer, along with a rollover IRA I opened years ago. Given our income and health insurance situation, should I roll those accounts into my existing IRA?
• I own some individual stocks that are essentially worthless. I placed a sell order at about half a cent, but no one is buying. What should I do with these shares, and how can I properly document the loss for tax purposes?

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM)
• Healthcare.gov
• AnnualCreditReport.com | Credit Karma
• Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA)
• FaithFi App