Is the concept of retirement actually biblical? When you come right down to it, it depends on what your definition of retirement is. And for believers, that should be different from how the world thinks about retirement.
Google “Christian” and “retirement plan” and you’ll find plenty of options. But it begs the question. Is retirement actually biblical? When you come right down to it, it depends on what your definition of retirement is. For believers, this should be different from how the world thinks about retirement.
The world’s concept of retirement is saving as much as you can so that someday you can stop working. The world sees work only as a negative thing.
God is our true boss. Colossians 3 tells us, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Work predated the Fall. The Lord put Adam to work in the Garden of Eden. Nowhere does the Bible say we can quit our service to Him when we have enough money saved up to live a life of leisure.
The Bible does address retirement regarding the Levites: “From twenty-five years old and upward they shall enter to perform service in the work of the tent of meeting. But at the age of fifty years they shall retire and not work anymore.” (Numbers 8:24-25).
Some may ask, “Why are we saving all this money, then, if we’re not supposed to retire?” It’s because it’s a prudent and a wise use of God’s resources.
People are living longer now than in previous generations. Many of us will reach a point where we’re physically unable to work or to work as many hours as we are now. We have to prepare for that.
The more you’ve saved the resources God’s entrusted to you, the more time and treasure you can give back to further His Kingdom.
Start saving for your “retirement” as early as you can so as to achieve the benefit of compound earnings. We recommend putting away 10 to 15% of your income.
On this program we also answer a couple of your questions:
I have about ten to fifteen thousand dollars’ worth of repairs needing done on my home. Should I mortgage my home (which is paid off) or should I borrow on an insurance life policy?
My husband and I have received a large cash inheritance. Should we put this into the stock market?
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