RETIREMENT
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT RETIREMENT?
Key Facts
Almost half (49%) of all the people who identify as Baby Boomers plan to depend on social security as their primary source of their retirement income, while only 20% of Millennials are planning to follow that same route. [1]
A quarter of those surveyed believe that they need at least $1 million to retire comfortably. On the other end of the spectrum, only 7% of people would like to retire on less than $25,000. [2]
Key Scriptures
Numbers 8:23-25 –“The Lord said to Moses, 24 “This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting, 25 but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 –“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Matthew 28:19-20 –“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Psalm 146:2 –“I will praise the Lord while I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.”
Matthew 6:19 –““Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.”
2 Corinthians 9:6 –“Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
Other relevant verses include: Acts 28:30-31, Matthew 5:16, 2 Thessalonians 3:10, Genesis 2:15, Proverbs 21:20, Proverbs 21:5
Want to Know More?
For more ideas on how to contribute in the later years of life, visit https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/dont-waste-your-retirement/
Application
Retirement is a huge financial responsibility for many as they plan the latter years of their lives. The concept of retirement often goes unquestioned in western society. However, is retirement biblical? And if so, what does biblical retirement look like?
Numbers 8:23-25 is the only passage in the Scripture in which the concept of retirement is clearly mentioned. This passage instructs the Levites to withhold from their duties in the priesthood after 50 years of age. It is important to remember that, contextually, these instructions were specifically intended for those in the Levitical priesthood. Therefore, the retirement mentioned would not necessarily apply in the same way to our current context as modern Americans. In fact, the idea that healthy people should retire and no longer contribute to society and a functioning economic system is found nowhere in the Bible. That being said, many verses do teach principles that can be followed as Christians move toward retirement.
First, Scripture shows us that work is a good thing. From the beginning, work is described as a positive thing. While some may think work is a negative result of the fall, God gave Adam a job to work and keep the garden before the fall (Gen. 2:15). Work has been, and continues to be, a good and essential part of life. From the Old to the New Testament, work is depicted as that which produces good things (2 Cor. 9:6). The Bible teaches that work is not something to be avoided, but to be embraced. Similarly, retirement should not be viewed as ceasing from work, but as an opportunity to do other kinds of work.
Another principle taught by these verses is that preparation and planning for the future is wise. While the New Testament encourages believers to look forward to their future home in heaven, Christians are still called to be wise in planning financially for their futures on earth. 2 Corinthians 9:6 says, “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” We can plan according to the needs to be expected in the future.
The Bible teaches that the purpose of the Christian is lifelong and does not end at any specific age. What is a Christian’s purpose in life? According to the Bible, Christians are to be reconciled to God, go into all the world and preach the gospel, baptize, teach, and help to usher in the Kingdom of God. Retirement is not an excuse for Christians to forfeit the Christian life or their pursuit of fulfilling the Great Commission.
Finally, Christians are also called to glorify God in all that they do (1 Cor. 10:31). This call to glorify God is consistent throughout one’s life, regardless of whether they have retired or not. Christian life should reflect biblical purpose and action at every stage. This may manifest differently throughout one’s life, however, the call to glorify God with our lives does not change.
Conclusion
The career a Christian has may change with age, but one’s purpose in life will not. As Christians age they may not be able to work in the same way or capacity that they once did, but contribution to society and working to advance the kingdom of God should remain central to their life.