What should a Christian believe and do about retirement planning?
Discussion question for October 2, 2009.
Retirement is a cultural concept embraced by most Americans as a time in older age when we cease from work and enjoy the fruit of our labor. Is this compatible with Christianity? Planning for retirement includes financial and physical goals. What portion of today’s resources should be dedicated to that future purpose? How does this impact (demonstrate) our faith in God as provider?
Here’s my summary of our discussion.
The definition of retirement is changing with the current generation. In the distant past there was a need to prepare for “old age”. This was not defined as a specific age, but was a sliding scale based on one’s ability to work to produce an income. The “New Deal” after the Great Depression offered a more specific definition of “retirement”: to quit working at age 65 and live out your days in relative peace and comfort. Today there is more of an expectation that retirement is an opportunity for investing your efforts into some other form of activity which might or might not be related to providing for living expenses.
Based on the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 6 (19, 24-34) we are not to worry about the future (anxiety), nor to store up treasures for ourselves here on earth. When retirement planning becomes obsessional and self-focused we are at risk of being controlled by it instead of controlling it.
The Biblical principle of sowing and reaping is most important. God shows us that when we sow into our future, He will provide the increase as He see fit. If we sow sparingly we should not be surprised by a sparse harvest. If we sow generously we can expect to be generous from the fruit of that in the future.
We need to be faithful, as stewards, to sow in a way that is appropriate to our current circumstances, and not toward a specific outcome. When we try to control the outcome we are at risk of taking over God’s job. On the other hand, if we take a fatalistic approach and do nothing but wait for God to provide, then we are not bringing our “five loaves and two fish” to the table for Him to bless. We can expect nothing since we have sown nothing.
The balance between living for today and saving for tomorrow keeps us in relationship with God. We are to be content with what He provides, while trusting His character: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” (Proverbs 13:22).
When I set aside a portion of my income for giving (tithe) it demonstrates my faith by obedience. When I set aside a portion of my income for future needs it demonstrates my stewardship while building margins into my life. It shows that I don’t need to live on 100% (or more) of my current income, but am content on less than that. How much less is a personal decision made between me and God.