What are your thoughts on retirement? Biblical?

christiana · #1 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 10:18 AM

I'm curious to know whether you would consider retirement 'biblical' or not?

For me, having been retired now for 12 years it has truly been a wonderful time of life, learning, coming to know our Lord better! I feel blessed to have this time and am so grateful it is possible! I retired the same year my husband died. I'd met many challenges in life and felt very happy to just back out a little and take a closer look at what the Lord may bring along!
I must admit the financial part was a great challenge to me. I owned my home but during the years there were repairs and maintenance that was difficult! Finally I sold my home and moved to an apartment, deciding to 'travel light' here and this is not my real home anyway! I love my life and my time to fellowship and encourage others, to teach the ladies class as a substitute, lunch out, quilt, research reformed theology on the computer and attend church 3 times weekly! What could be better? I know as christians we never retire as all we do is considered work for Him! My children have their own families and live nearby but also have very busy lives! Just wondering if you will retire and what will you do then to fill your time and manage your life?

Semper Fidelis · #2 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 10:22 AM

Retirement for leisure? Don't believe in it.

Retirement from secular employment? Sure.

I don't believe in retirement for the sake of cruises and spending all the money that one has accumulated over your life just to have fun. I want to leave an inheritance for my children.

I also intend to be fully busy throughout my years and look forward to a day when I can devote more energies to the local Church. I love serving the Body of Christ and can never imagine a day when I would "retire" from that.

BobVigneault · #3 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 10:32 AM

Retirement is NOT a biblical principle. We should always work in some form in order that we can provide for the needy.

Quote:

Eph. 4:28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Semper Fidelis · #4 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 10:38 AM

Bawb is about 90 years old so he should know.

My grandfather worked until he was over 90 years old by the way. He only stopped when it was too dangerous for him to drive.

panta dokimazete · #5 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 10:56 AM

John Piper has a good book online with good thoughts on subject.

Gomarus · #6 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semper Fidelis

Retirement for leisure? Don't believe in it.

Retirement from secular employment? Sure.

TimV · #7 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 11:03 AM

If you're self-employed it's a bit of a hypothetical concept an any event! How do you retire on Social Security? I'm sure I'll have to work until I drop, but I am fortunate in that I love what I do, so it's OK.

Puritan Sailor · #8 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semper Fidelis

Bawb is about 90 years old so he should know.

My grandfather worked until he was over 90 years old by the way. He only stopped when it was too dangerous for him to drive.

My great great Grandfather was a farmer and he never retired. He died of a heart attack, driving his tractor, while harvesting his corn at the age of 94. I hope I can be so diligent with all my years.

christiana · #9 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 11:17 AM

Wow, I am feeling ever so guilty!! I will hope I see some female feedback here on this topic to vindicate me! LOL

My friends mother is 103, very alert and when I visited she was busy crocheting baby caps for the hospital newborns. She also plays bridge and keeps her nails polished! She is quite a lady!

We are not all alike! Are your opinions also appropriate for your mothers?
There is a whole grocery list of reasons which I wont bore you with that I retired from nursing when I did. However, the day I retired I told the Lord that the rest of my days would be for Him and much of my time spent in coming to know HIm better. That was before I'd ever heard of the doctrines of grace! Whew, once I came to know HIm in His majestic sovereignty I just couldnt hear enough or read enough!

I've never been on a cruise nor have I desired to. I dont go to Branson or spend money on entertainment. I read much! My life is full and until now I never felt guilty about it. I thanked Him for providing to me after raising six children, nursing my mother until her death, then my husband until his death and many other challenges He guided me through that strengthened me!

We are all different, have different abilities and even different diseases and impairments! I'd love to be like the 103 yr old lady but the fact is I'm not!
I always felt our Lord provided me with these days to spend at His feet and I so love doing just that!

Semper Fidelis · #10 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 11:21 AM

Sister,

I'm not averse to Cruises or things like that and my response wasn't meant to diagnose your current situation. I just don't think old age is meant to be in service to self and I was merely noting that point without giving comment on your particular situation.

christiana · #11 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 11:37 AM

Thanks Rich for your comments! Actually this thread has given me much foot for thought! Am I involved enough, ministering enough to others? That is my goal and hearts desire but I must admit to getting lost in a deep book at times and hibernating for a while, luxuriating in thoughts! I've had to sort out a lot of old doctrine I picked up over the years and throw most of it out! The doctrines of grace brought a wonderful upheavel to my life, change of church, change of mind, change of how my time is spent!
I agree wholeheartedly about the importance of not wasting time on the cheap thrills of life but to anticipate the glories that await us!
Thanks again for you words as I continue to ponder His purposes for us! Blessings!

Scott1 · #12 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 12:04 PM

From New Living Translation:

Numbers 8:23-26: "The LORD also instructed Moses, 'This is the rule the Levites must follow: they must begin serving in the Tabernacle at the age of twenty-five, and they must retire at the age of fifty. After retirement they may assist their fellow Levites by performing guard duty at the Tabernacle, but they may not officiate in the service. This is how you will assign duties to the Levites.'"

As far as I am aware, this is the only place in Scripture where retirement is directly referenced.

Generally, "retirement" as it is practiced in this generation is out of sync with Scripture. Scaling down to ability and responsibility is more the principle.

Prioritization of a carefree lifestyle of self-seeking pleasure for this station of life is not biblical (any more than at any other stage of life). Older people have much to offer God and their fellow man, which is a key reason for life itself.

That doesn't mean older people will not have different responsibilities or a different amount of responsibility. It doesn't mean God will not give them plenty of time to rest, (e.g. the Sabbath), learn, travel or enjoy His Creation. In reality, He does this at every stage of life and hopefully, we can, by His grace, better understand that as we mature.

Puritan Sailor · #13 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 01:47 PM

We can thank Franklin Roosevelt for our modern form of retirement. By encouraging the older folks to retire (with social security) and get out of the work force he gave more jobs to younger folks.

christiana · #14 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 01:56 PM

Thanks for all the thoughts! Sorry my 'Thanks' button seems to be nonfunctioning! Nothing happens when I click it!

There is a time for all things and when we are commited to the Lord we will be looking for ways and means for serving Him!

Ivan · #15 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 02:43 PM

Here are my personal thoughts on the subject of retirement:

1. I work as an assistant manager. Will I retire from that position? Yes.

2. I am pastor of a church. Will I retire from the pastorate? No. At least I don't intend to. As I am able I will be a pastor to the day I die, God willing.

Dying in the pulpit while preaching would be fine with me

Zenas · #16 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 02:50 PM

The elderly should be put to good use, i.e. cart pulling or carrying water from the hole and the like.

Ivan · #17 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zenas

The elderly should be put to good use, i.e. cart pulling or carrying water from the hole and the like.

In some ways I feel like I'm doing that already at Wal-Mart!

Ron · #18 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobVigneault

Retirement is NOT a biblical principle. We should always work in some form in order that we can provide for the needy.

Quote:

Eph. 4:28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

That's not a good proof-text because the verse has in view working so that one can share. The verse does not deal with those who are in a position to share without working. Having said that, as has been noted in one way or another in this thread, pure idleness and pure pleasure seeking is wrong. However, retirement in order to glorify God and enjoy him outside of secular work is always under good regulation. Imagine the man who retires in order to influence his grandchildren, visit the prisons or serve as an elder more effectively. Sounds like a wonderful way to spend the latter years of one life. Lord willing, I will do just that (plus fit in a little more golf!).

Ron

P.S. Anyone interested in planting a Reformed church on Martha's Vineyard in about ten to fifteen years?

ChristopherPaul · #19 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semper Fidelis

Retirement for leisure? Don't believe in it.

Retirement from secular employment? Sure.

I don't believe in retirement for the sake of cruises and spending all the money that one has accumulated over your life just to have fun. I want to leave an inheritance for my children.

I also intend to be fully busy throughout my years and look forward to a day when I can devote more energies to the local Church. I love serving the Body of Christ and can never imagine a day when I would "retire" from that.

I share the same views; however, what about those who are retired ministers? They do not have a secular employment to retire from yet they are considered retired.

Ron · #20 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristopherPaul

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semper Fidelis

Retirement for leisure? Don't believe in it.

Retirement from secular employment? Sure.

I don't believe in retirement for the sake of cruises and spending all the money that one has accumulated over your life just to have fun. I want to leave an inheritance for my children.

I also intend to be fully busy throughout my years and look forward to a day when I can devote more energies to the local Church. I love serving the Body of Christ and can never imagine a day when I would "retire" from that.

I share the same views; however, what about those who are retired ministers? They do not have a secular employment to retire from yet they are considered retired.

Same thing for the paid minister. Yet the minister does not retire from being an elder. He merely may retire from serving as one who makes his wage from sermon preparation, etc.

Ron

North Jersey Baptist · #21 (**permalink**) 06-27-2008, 03:49 PM

Quote:

I want to leave an inheritance for my children.

Rich, adopt me?