The Christian View of Retirement

FaithFi: Faith & Finance | Sep 26, 2024

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Show Notes

There are plenty of Christian retirement plans out there…but is retirement itself actually biblical?

The answer depends on your definition of retirement. For Christians, that should be quite different from the world’s view of retirement.

Work: A Biblical Calling

The world often sees work as something to escape—a negative experience endured under the pressure of a demanding boss. However, the Bible presents a very different view. In Colossians 3:23-24, Paul tells us:

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

God is our true boss, and we are called to serve Him through our work.

Work existed before the Fall. Genesis 2:15 shows us that God put Adam to work in the Garden of Eden. Nowhere does the Bible suggest that we should stop serving God once we have saved enough money to retire into a life of leisure.

Moreover, God Himself is a worker. In John 5:17, Jesus says:

“My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”

This means that our service to the Lord should never truly end. Interestingly, the Bible only mentions retirement in one instance, and that’s in a specific context. Numbers 8:24-25 describes how Levitical priests were to retire at age 50. However, this instruction was specific to their duties and doesn’t apply to all believers. The Bible doesn’t give a general mandate for retirement as we think of it today.

In fact, before the 20th century, people worked for as long as they were able. The concept of retirement as we know it—a time to completely cease working—came about with the introduction of Social Security and pensions. But as Christians, we are called to serve God for our entire lives.

Why Should We Save for Retirement?

You might be wondering, “If we’re not supposed to retire, why are we saving all this money?” The answer is simple: It’s wise to prepare for a time when we might not be physically able to work. People today are living longer than in previous generations, and many will face a stage of life where work is no longer possible.

Proverbs 21:20 reminds us:

“Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.”

Saving is a biblical principle that allows us to be good stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us.

But for Christians, saving for retirement isn’t about stepping away from work altogether. Instead, we should view it as an opportunity to retire to something, not just from something. Perhaps this means using the resources you’ve saved to enter the mission field or serve in a new capacity. Or, it might mean having the freedom to give more generously to advance God’s Kingdom.

As Christians, our goal in retirement should be to serve God in even greater ways. The Apostle John continued writing and preaching into his 90s, and second-century pastor Polycarp testified to his faith even in his final days. These examples remind us that our service to the Lord never ends, no matter our age.

So, while it’s prudent to save for the day when you can no longer work as diligently as you do now, the ultimate goal is to use that season of life to serve God more fully.

Practical Steps for Saving for Retirement

Here at Faith and Finance, when we talk about retirement, we’re not advocating for ceasing all work. Instead, we aim to help you be faithful stewards of God’s money so that, one day, you can serve Him in new and meaningful ways.

To prepare financially for retirement, start saving as early as possible to benefit from compound interest. We recommend setting aside 10 to 15 percent of your income in a tax-advantaged retirement plan, like a 401(k), especially if your employer offers matching contributions.

If your employer doesn’t provide a 401(k), consider opening a traditional or Roth IRA. For younger individuals with more time until retirement, a Roth IRA may be especially beneficial because of its long-term tax advantages.

As believers, our view of retirement should be shaped by our desire to serve God faithfully throughout every season of life. Saving for retirement is wise and biblical, but our goal is not to stop working altogether. Instead, we prepare for a time when we can use the resources God has given us to serve Him more fully, whether through giving, missions, or new opportunities for ministry.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

I bought a house years ago and am the only one on the mortgage. I moved out and purchased another property but didn't sell the first one. My CPA said I'd have to pay up to 24% capital gains tax. Can I sell the first house, take the money, and buy the new property from my wife to avoid the capital gains tax?
I started drawing Social Security early while working part-time and made over the income limit. They withheld half of the amount over the limit. I understood from a previous program that I could get that money back after I reached full retirement age. I wonder if that means the check will be more because of the input or if it will build up some payment for me.
At this point in my life, is a reverse mortgage a good thing for me to do? I'm 63 and still working, and I plan to work until age 70. I have a pension through a union, but I'm unsure of the exact amount since I'm not fully vested. I'm trying to build up my nest egg again after some setbacks 15 years ago. Would a reverse mortgage be a good option for me?

Resources Mentioned:

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