Should a Christian save for retirement?
Over the last couple years my thoughts on retirement have changed a bit. A few years ago, my goal was to retire early and live the easy life. As I have grown in my walk with God, I have found that (my old self-indulgent idea of) retirement doesn’t seem to be mentioned in the Bible. That doesn’t mean we should be chopping logs 10 hours a day when we are 85, but that God has us down here for a purpose and a specific amount of time.
The truth is that God’s plan for us will keep us busy until we die. I don’t think that necessarily means employment until our last breath, but for some it very well could. If His plan is being fulfilled in our lives via our occupation, who are we to say when we are finished?
To save or not to save for retirement
Even though my mind has changed about retirement, I have not stopped saving in my retirement accounts. Regardless of whether or not I am employed full time when I am 70, why not be prepared financially? To me it seems like a much better idea to have cash in the bank, so that I can be free to do whatever God has for me to do.
The worst case scenario is that I have a big chunk of cash that has been earning interest for decades that I can give away to bless someone. To me, saving for retirement seems like a no-brainer.
Bible verses about retirement and resting
While the Bible doesn’t seem to have specific verses referring to retirement, it does point out the importance of rest. God, our creator, understands the value of rest and relaxation. That, of course, is why He created Sundays! To add to that…
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. Mark 6:31
As far as my previous plans for retirement – the below passage from Luke pretty well summed up my plans. Needless to say, I am glad God showed me the error of my ways…
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ‘
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16-21
The thing I have come to realize is that God created us to be in motion. You can use our muscles as an example. If they are not getting pushed, they become weaker. They grow only when they are stretched beyond comfort. Our brains function the same way. They need to be pushed in order to grow and when all pressure is eliminated they begin to atrophy.
This is why work is so beneficial for us. While it is difficult, it makes rest that much more pleasurable.
The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep. Eccl 5:12
It all comes back to stewardship
The bottom line with the whole retirement savings question is that as stewards we have a responsibility to do the best with what we have been given. Saving with retirement accounts like 401ks or IRAs is a great way to multiply the talents that we have been given. But, it is not the only way. Every person is going to have to give an account of their stewardship to God, so whatever that means for you individually is what you need to do.
Related posts:
- The Biblical Prosperity debate
- What do you want? The Biblical way to get what you want
- Retirement Plans (Part 2) – IRAs: Roth vs Traditional
- Don’t Save it all up for Retirement
- 4 steps to retirement savings
- How to save money for retirement
- Planning for retirement without Social Security
- Paying off loans or retirement savings
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Bob,
I think this is definitely an issue that a lot of American Christians need to face with a lot of prayer. The American ideal of retirement is not found anywhere in the Bible, and I think you’d be very hard-pressed to back it up with any Scripture at all.
I also agree with you that this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t save. There are many wise verses about the prudence of saving for the future. It makes sense to save for a time when you may not be able to work for the things you need.
I’ve had to look at this closely in my life, especially since I’m a financial planner. Most of my job revolves around helping people plan for their retirement. Some are Christians and some are not, but almost all of them have the American ideal of retirement ingrained in their minds. Out of the 200+ clients I have worked with, I can only think of 1 or 2 that are really focused on using their retirement years in a way that glorifies God. I know other people in my life who have done this, but from a business perspective I just don’t see it much.
Keep up the good work!
Paul,
thanks for sharing your insight – I am glad you shared this since you are dealing face to face with so many people who make the “american retirement” their lifelong goal. I think God has something better than what a lot of people have planned
I think God’s plan for retirement (at least for what I invision for myself) is that we will have more time for volunteering, serving or missions opportunities. If we have been good stewards and have a comfortable savings, then we have the time and freedom to be available to serve. If you look at it from that point of view then saving for retirement is not in conflict at all with serving God.
Shannon,
well put – I agree.
What is God’s purpose for the long-term unemployed?
The economy clearly indicates that there are not nearly enough jobs available to employ everyone who wants to work.
When people delay retirement, they are keeping an unemployed person out of work.
Not to be contrarian…. BUT… the bible does mention retirement. Numbers 8:23-26.
“Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,”This is what applies to 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 from service in the work and not work any more. They may, however, assist their brothers in the tent of meeting, to keep an obligation, but they themselves shall do no work. Thus you shall deal with the Levites concerning their obligations.”
joshua,
thanks for sharing!
I enjoyed this post! I am nowhere near retirement but this really got me thinking!
Bob, I agree with your article with one glaring exception. As men we have the responsibility to look ahead and plan for our wife if we are unable to work or have passed on. 1 Tim 5:8 says we have denied the word of God if we do not provide (have a plan in advance). We see in Prov. 21:20 that only a fool consumes his paycheck just like in Jonah 1:17 where the great fish swallowed up the profit. We see where the wise (not the rich) save for the future. Again in Prov 22:3 and 27:12 a wise man plans ahead.
Paul,
It appears that retirement is similar to our worldview. It is founded mostly on presuppositions formed by the culture we find ourselves in. It is difficult to get the American Dream of Retirement separated from the act of Gloryfying God as members of His Kingdom.
Dan K.
Bob, thanks for the insightful article. I think your depth of knowledge far exceeds the article. My plan is to be debt free. Free from mortgage, and any other debt. That way, I can serve God (Master) with all that I have and all that He has blessed me with, whenever, and where He wants me. I may be able to retire from man’s work, but my joy (strength) is in/from God’s work. “It is more blessed to give, than to receive” Col 3:23-24
References: Rom 13:8, Pro 22:7, 1 Cor 7:23, Ex 36:1, Ex 35:30-35
Joshua… thanks for the retirement Bible verses (Numbers 8:23-26). I was making a program for a Retirement celebration at our church and was looking for verses about retirement in the Bible. That is exactly what I was looking for. God Bless you!
I agree Bob. I know many people who have retired from their working job only to use the 401K to support them on the mission field or help them devote 40 plus hours per week doing work at the church.