Should Christians pursue retirement as one of their major goals - or in doing so, are they pursuing something that is in complete contrast to what God has purposed for them?
I think this is a good question to ask, and one that I’ve often wrestled with.
As Americans, we generally want to work for 30 to 40 years, retire with a nice nest egg and spend the rest of our time doing things we really want to do, when we want to do them.
Retirement has become the quintessential American Dream.
But is this something that a Christian should pursue – and does the Bible have anything to say about it?
Retirement in the Bible
After a quick search for the word “retire” in a few different versions of the Bible – I noticed there weren’t many references to view.
Of those that were listed, all but one had to do with either retiring to bed (going to sleep) or retiring from battle (retreating or pulling back).
Numbers 8:23-26 was a passage that mentions retirement in terms of withdrawing from labor. Here’s the passage:
23 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 24 “This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall come to do duty in the service of the tent of meeting. 25 And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more. 26 They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard, but they shall do no service. Thus shall you do to the Levites in assigning their duties.”
One of the responsibilities of the Levites was to transport and guard the tabernacle.
So basically what’s going on here is that the Levites who were over age 50 were able to “retire” from carrying the tabernacle, but still served in guarding it.
As far as I know there is no other mention of retirement in the Bible – but does that mean we should throw out the notion of retirement just because it’s not in there?
Rest in the Bible
God’s word has a lot to say about the idea of rest.
On the seventh day of creation, God rested from all His labor. God instituted a day of rest in the 10 commandments, and we see Jesus resting and withdrawing from His work often to get refreshed.
But is this rest the same as retirement? It doesn’t seem like it. The Bible typically refers to rest as a temporary rest to get re-energized to go back to work.
So once again, the Bible seems pretty silent on the issue of retirement. I got to thinking about what a conversation about retirement would sound like between the Apostle Paul and Peter. Maybe something like this:
Paul: “I’ve been making tents for the last 30 years – my back is just killin’ me – I gotta get out of this business.”
Peter: “Your back is killing you? Try pulling a giant net of fish into a boat every day! My dad had me helping him since I was 12 years old – 50 years of catching fish has caught up to me for sure.”
Paul: “Yeah, I wouldn’t mind taking my pension early and getting a nice little place on the Mediterranean.”
Peter: “I hear ya, Jerusalem for the summer and Greece for the winter would be the life!”
There’s no evidence a conversation like that ever took place. In fact, I would be willing to guess that retirement to a guy like the Apostle Paul was something that never crossed his mind.
He never wanted to be a burden to people so as to create any barriers to sharing the gospel.
Should we take the Bible’s silence to mean:
a. Most people worked until they were physically unable to?
b. The Bible is not concerned about retirement?
Usually when the Bible is silent on a particular topic, it allows us to form our own opinion and conviction on the issue.
In part 2 we’ll further discuss the idea retirement in the Bible, look at the definition and re-defininition of retirement and what that means for us.
I think it probably depends on how you use your retirement. My husband and I have a goal of saving up enough that we don’t have to work for our necessities, but can serve a mission when we “retire”. I think the real question is whether we are living selfishly, or whether we are still looking for ways to serve others.
Miranda´s last blog ..Insurance, Black Friday, Retirement and Taxes: What I’ve Been Doing Around the Web
I think of retirement much in the way that Miranda does, not working a day job as much as working on something that is a passion – helping others full time, instead of trying to build my own income. I don’t think i’ll ever stop working and just sit around, but I do hope to stop working a day job full time.
Peter´s last blog ..4 Ways To Develop A Thankful Heart Before Thanksgiving
“Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” John 5:17
Even though the Bible is silent on the word retirement, I think we still have some clear clues, such as the one above.
Retirement into complete idleness isn’t supported. But it doesn’t seem that retirement from your life’s occupation is prohibited either.
The question with retirement from a Christian perspective is that we should never retire from our primary purpose, which is to be a priesthood of believers–even if we stop working for a living. Retirement from working as a livelihood can acually help us to do that. So far, so good.
The problem, if we can call it that, is that the dream of retirement can become a false god. Look at all the space devoted to retirement planning in the financial press and on the blogosphere–we’re close to obsession on it.
We should make SOME preparation for old age and lost wages, but it shouln’t become an obsession that interferes with our lives, causes us to withhold giving to the Church and to others, or getting emotionally caught up in a future that can’t be guaranteed–the opinions of the financial community notwithstanding.
Maybe more important than retiring is to have a plan for a balanced life, that way we can continue with a joyous Christian life and witness, even if we don’t retire with the millions needed for us to move to paradise and play golf all day.
Kingdom work, family involvement, part time work, health and fitness, personal projects all need to be built into the mix. It can’t just be the money chase that it often appears to be. I think that is where retirement becomes a negative for the believer.
And if we can’t ever afford the golden retirement of our dreams, so what? We’re still right where we’ve been since birth, in the palm of God’s hand.
Kevin@OutOfYourRut´s last blog ..Persevere and Persist
I have to chime in as well, I see my retirement from my JOB as the beginning of my next adventure, which will be a nearly full time job of serving to my community and possibly abroad dedicating my waking hours to His wishes, with some travel and leisure worked in. I just can’t wait for that freeing day to devote my time to the Kingdom rather than supporting my financial misteps, Lord willing. Great question and I look forward to part 2.
Paul @ FiscalGeek´s last blog ..Book Review: America, Welcome to the Poorhouse
Great discussion point! This is a topic that needs to be talked about a lot more in American Christian communities.
We should all agree that the typical American Retirement image comes from the belief in consumerism. The American Retirement is “heaven” to the consumer. A time in life where all products and services can be afforded to achieve happiness. But where in the Bible does it say that we are supposed to receive our happiness from things of this world?
We have too many American Christians that have entangled their belief system with consumerism and it is damaging the effectiveness of our witness to others. How can we show compassion to others when all we desire is to have another latte?
God is always known for a “reverse-kingdom” mentality.
Keep up the good work!
I see retirement as a new stage of my life in which I no longer depend on the income from full-time employment. Rather, I’ll be fully free to serve of my time and give of my talents and resources to help others. I believe my ministry is in helping people manage their money wisely, as faithful financial stewards, and share with them what the Bible says about money. I see my retirement savings today as an investment in this mission. Great post and comments!
Jason @ One Money Design´s last blog ..Convert to a Roth IRA in 2010?
As Christians, our lives are not our own.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2
The bible likens our Christian service to a race, and a race is run to the finish. Further, our course is not one of pursuing temporal gain, but one of an incorruptible crown.
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25: And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” – I Cor 9:24-25
I suppose I see it like this… we need to figure out exactly what gifts God gave us, and figure out exactly what work He has for us to accomplish… then get to work and never stop, until we cross the finish line.
Is that work our current job? I don’t know… each of us must answer that question for ourselves. If it is… do it with passion. If it is not, the passionately set out to find out what it is and get busy doing it.
Matt Jabs´s last blog ..Get out of Debt Faster – No More Excuses!
@Miranda – Good point, I think heart motivation is important to assess whether your retirement is Biblical or not.
@ Kevin – Great, insightful comment!! I think you’re right on that retirement has essentially become a false god for many of us. It is what drives us, motivates us to continue working and is what fuels our thoughts – basically our purpose.
The balanced life approach is difficult, but one that can be achieved – especially when we surrender ALL to Him – even our retirement dreams.
@ Paul – Thanks for the comment. I think it’s great you are looking forward to that day in eager expectation to serve others. We need to be careful that we don’t put off our service until retirement because we are working now. Service along the way TO retirement will help make the transition to service IN retirement that much easier.
@ Pete & @ Jason – You guys are looking at retirement as just a continuation of pursuing your passions and serving others without having to depend on your day-job income. I think that’s great!
@ Matt – I always appreciate the no-nonsense comments. You give us a good challenge to figure out the gifts God has given to us and use those for the rest of our lives to advance the kingdom! You’re right about the race – and it’s such a good analogy that the Apostle Paul gives us.
@ Eric – I’ve recently been shifting my view on retirement and I agree – we fall prey to a consumerism mentality. As Kevin said, retirement becomes a false god! It doesn’t mean retirement is entirely wrong, but as Christians I think we ought to redeem back the idea of retirement and use it for the kingdom.
Eric–Oustanding point about Christians entangling our belief system with consumerism.
What we often forget is that the idea of retirement is unique to the 20th century, esp for the middle class. It’s a post industrial revolution concept that people would want to retire from work outside the home. Prior to that, most people worked at home and there was little separation between work, family and community. You were a permanent, productive member of the community and retirement didn’t exist. It wasn’t even necessary.
This might be why we might even wrestle with the issue, there are no precedents going all the way back to biblical times.
Kevin@OutOfYourRut´s last blog ..Envision a Future Without Debt
oh how i loved this post! actually i claim to have “retired” a month ago but that’s just a term i used to describe my transition from a corporate rat race gig to a gig that i feel is more in line with my purpose and desires. prayer was definitely instrumental in bringing this day to pass. are we supposed to retire? i say no, but i also don’t define retire as webster probably does. as long as there is breath in our body, i believe we should do whatever God is requiring of us in each season of our lives.
Lydia aka Ms. MoneyChat´s last blog ..5 Challenges of the Great Exodus
@ Lydia – congratulations on your “retirement” and your desire to fulfill your purpose and desires. I agree, we should always be looking for opportunities to serve others, share the great news and glorify Him in whatever season we find ourselves in!
Just a thought, and maybe I’m off-base here…wouldn’t it have been customary and expected for a child to take care of his parents in their old age? I think that is a part of the equation that we have left out. Because we (as Americans in general) do not honor our father and our mother, they are left to themselves to save for their retirement or rely on the state so that they can continue to have food and shelter beyond their working years. Of course, many people are saving for much more than just food and shelter, but I can’t help wondering if that is how things should be–families taking care of each other. It may be a bit unrealistic or naive, but I think it would be pretty cool to see that happening more.
April´s last blog ..Keeping it simple
April, that’s a really good point. Family units seemed to be much more important in those days. You also didn’t have urban sprawl and families moving all over the country for work, so it was much more natural to be around your family.
What you also see in Acts is the church selling property and goods to care for each other and to meet others needs. So, even the church was more involved in later years as well.
Jason´s last blog ..Should You Wait to Give Until You Have Enough Money?
Very intriguing post and equally intriguing comments. I totally agree with the thoughts that retirement should be more of a switch from a J-O-B to something you thoroughly love. My goal is for a hobby of mine to take over as my full time income one day. I can’t imagine just sitting around and watching game shows when I “retire”.
I also like the thoughts on how we should always be serving God no matter we are doing and in that the only retirement is when we pass from this life.
As for saving towards retirement, it’s always a good idea to save when times are good for “famine” times (like Joseph in Egypt). Also, saving up during good times may allow us to invest in our passions/hobbies as we age.
Ryan – I agree, we definitely want to save up for that day. By the way, we can also save up for retirement in hopes to use that money for the kingdom as well – thru missions trips, giving to the needy etc.