Comments on: Is Retirement Biblical? (Part 1)

By: Jason

Jason — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:14:09 +0000

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.

By: Ryan @ ObsessedAnalytic

Ryan @ ObsessedAnalytic — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:56:37 +0000

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.

By: Jason

Jason — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 03:28:11 +0000

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?

By: April

April — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 23:49:24 +0000

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

By: Is Retirement Biblical? (Part 2) | Redeeming Riches

Is Retirement Biblical? (Part 2) | Redeeming Riches — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:02:34 +0000

[...] part 1 we looked at the retirement that is mentioned in the Bible and also the idea of rest that the [...]

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:12:43 +0000

@ 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!

By: Lydia aka Ms. MoneyChat

Lydia aka Ms. MoneyChat — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:58:05 +0000

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

By: Kevin@OutOfYourRut

Kevin@OutOfYourRut — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:28:23 +0000

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

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:18 +0000

@ 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.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:53:49 +0000

@ 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.