The Retired Christian

Usually, when writing a blog, I select the final title after the article is finished. Probably my main reason for doing this is that writing an article is somewhat organic. From beginning to end, I never know in what direction an article will go. I find that this approach opens unexpected doors. Sometimes it even provides me a window I may need to jump out of. In this case, I feel very certain about how this is going to go. I am not being close minded, I had this topic in mind before I wrote a previous blog that deals with the Christian in the Workplace. I discovered I needed to discuss the concept of the Christian worker before I could cover The Retired Christian.

Is Retirement Biblical? Retirement is not exactly a Biblical concept. There is only one mention of retirement in the Bible. In Numbers 8:23-26 we read (NLT) “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 serving as guards at the Tabernacle, but they may not officiate in the service.’” The Levites were members of the tribe of Levi.  They were appointed to assist the priests in the temple or tabernacle.  After age 50, we see they transitioned to a lesser position but still serving God and the nation of Israel.

Our society has traditionally used age 65 as a retirement age. Some professions, such as teaching and first responders often are given full retirement much earlier. Others work into their 70’s or later, doing the same tasks. This sort of extended retirement is not common in history. In the 1800’s Germany was setting up a retirement system similar to Social Security in the United States today. They were debating at what age an individual should begin to receive benefits. Someone suggested age 65, adding that nobody lived that long. So with an eye to financial stability for the government, 65 became the retirement age. That is the age adopted for the United States’ Social Security system, but has been raised to 67 in subsequent years.

The average life expectancy in the United States for women is 81.98 years and for men 77.05 years. Other nations experience greater longevity. This has created a period of extended retirement for many individuals, an opportunity not experienced by previous generations. Many seniors remain healthy and active into their 80’s and 90’s. It is God who determines our years. Proverbs 16:9 tells us to make our plans carefully “ The mind of a person plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” An old Yiddish proverb states it a little more bluntly “We plan, God laughs.” We can, and should make plans. But we need to be flexible in those plans, as God may have another direction for us. I can’t tell you the number of times I have made plans, only to receive a course redirection from God. If we are still alive, God has something in store for us. Some writers have described God’s retirement as our graduation to heaven. But even that is not “retirement.” We will be working alongside God and the saints when we reach heaven. What are we to do in the gap between our retirement from full-time employment until God takes us home? It is most definitely not sitting on the porch rocking our lives away.

New Opportunities. Retirement gives us new opportunities with increased freedom to explore new horizons, new adventures, to undertake activities we had only dreamed of. Retirement does not need to be a frenzy of activity, traveling across the globe. Maybe you’re not cut out for that. Maybe you can’t afford unlimited vacations. But there is much we can do where we live – where God planted us. I had an uncle who was born in a small town in Eastern North Carolina. He was a farmer until he was unable to work. As far as I know, he never traveled more than 50 miles from where he was born. I’m not relating this story so we could feel sorry for him. Quite the contrary. He was probably my favorite uncle. He taught me to fish, he had me working in the tobacco fields. He had a great sense of humor. Frank was a man of God and God planted him in a very small geographical area. But that did not deter him. As long as he was healthy, he enjoyed life.

I once knew of a gentleman who was very active in his community, working with youth, with various civic groups, and was active in his church including singing in the choir. When he took early retirement and was in good health, he stopped everything. He no longer involved himself in youth, civic groups. He even stopped attending church. That is not God’s plan for retirement. 

Others seem to take a different attitude toward retirement. Even into his mid-nineties, Warren Buffett is active and still serves as Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. I have a friend who retired somewhat early in life. He was well-set financially, so having sufficient income in retirement was not an issue for him. I spoke with him some time after his retirement and commented that I noted he had re-entered the workforce. His comment was that he “failed retirement.” 

A Need to Remain Active. I am a person who needs to be doing something. Several years ago, while still fully employed, I had a detached retina and had to spend several weeks doing nothing. My doctor told me I could go up and down one flight of stairs daily and I could make a simple lunch such as a sandwich. That was it. Our friends were asking my wife, Gloria, “How can John be doing nothing? He is always active.” I guess my best answer was that God helped me through it. Looking back, I see that it did serve a purpose. I became keenly aware that full retirement was not going to be for me.

As I approached the time when I felt it to be time to retire from teaching, I had two trains of thought. I knew that I wanted to continue to be an active CPA, maintaining my business for a few more years. But I was also making plans to start a new business, focused on helping churches and clergy with their tax issues. I organized the business, wrote a book, and attempted to kick-start a new venture. Unfortunately, other events intervened and that experiment never took flight. I continued the CPA business for a few years, then felt that it was time. Several personal issues intervened in the ensuing years and I spent time adjusting to those and planning my new future. 

I have always enjoyed writing but no longer had a desire to write technical accounting articles after I quit teaching. I was invited to contribute to a blog that a friend maintained so I did that on a semi-regular basis, writing faith-based articles. As I became more adjusted to my new environments, I felt a need to take writing to the next level, so with the prayers and encouragement of Heather, we started “Life Up My Eyes.” It is not a job in the sense that I get paid, but I know I am doing what the Lord wants me to do at this time. I hope I am doing some good for the Kingdom. How long will that last? I have no ideas or plans for what is next, but I know the Lord will once again guide me when it is time.

Four Principles of Retirement. Retirement is a recognition that, as we age, we do need to cut back on some activities. But God leaves us here on earth as He has something else for us to accomplish. There are four principles about retirement for a Christian that I feel are important to keep in mind as we contemplate the next steps in our lives.

First, God’s Retirement is Death. I don’t mean this in a macabre manner but it is simply a statement that as long as God has a purpose for us, we will remain on earth. Paul, in II Timothy 4:7-8, put it well “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” Our retirement is eternity with God in His glorious Heaven. And there will be work for us in Heaven.

There are a couple of issues that this raises. The first of these deals with God’s timing. Why do some people cling to life when it becomes apparent that they will probably not recover. I can only speculate, but my view is that only God knows when a person has accomplished their mission on earth. Even though my father was unable to speak in his final years and spent several months in the hospital, his Christian spirit ministered to those with whom he came in contact.

The second issue deals with those who are not professing Christians. I feel that God can, and does, work through those who do not follow Him. When they have fulfilled God’s purpose (other than accepting salvation), He grants their retirement. We are again faced with the fact that only God knows when that time comes. 

Second, Know when to retire. This one is a little harder than the first. If we are not attuned to God’s working in our lives, we may retire early or hang on too long. All of us have seen both. Once again, this may not be our decision. Our lifestyle could be a factor in our longevity. King Saul had forsaken God, and God saw fit to remove him from the throne. He and his three sons met an untimely death in battle. In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira sold a plot of land and brought the proceeds to the Apostles. Peter, full of God’s anointing, knew that they did not bring all the proceeds to the Apostles, despite their insistence. They were both struck dead on the spot for attempting to deceive God. I don’t know if we will see these people in Heaven, but their usefulness on earth had ended.

I also know of many Saints of the Kingdom who have lived a full life for God well into their 90’s. I have a long-time family friend who is a “retired” minister. In his 90’s he is still working as a supply pastor and doing other Kingdom work. I also like his sense of optimism as he remarried in his late 80’s after losing his first wife. If we walk with the Lord, we will know when it is time. If we misstep, He will bring us back on the right path. 

Third, Vacations, holidays, and recreation are ok within limits. God designed us to take a weekly sabbath rest. This has been seen to be a valuable form of rest from normal work habits once a week. We all need a weekly sabbath. Certain professions, such as college professors, may receive a semester or year off from normal teaching duties to pursue other interests. It was during one such period that my plans for retirement began to take shape.

As older, retired adults our bodies slow down. We need more rest in order to remain healthy. We have the freedom to take extended times for vacations and the like. There is nothing wrong with a Christian taking such periods of rest and relaxation. We should do this judicially, not over-indulging in endless vacations, but working these “sabbatical” periods into God’s overall plan for our retirement years.

Fourth, Serving God. There are many ways to serve God in our retirement years. Retirement can be a time of exploring new adventures. My father had a servant’s heart. For a time during his retirement, he volunteered at his church to download and organize materials that were available from his church’s denomination via satellite so the church as a whole could take advantage of these resources. It was something he enjoyed and it made him feel useful. There is a need for people such as retirees to contribute to their church and community. 

I readily admit that retirement options for most of us is a first-world problem. God has richly blessed us in the United States. We need to plan for retirement and use our blessings for God, helping those we are called to help. Have you thought about what your retirement is going to look like?

Roger Barrier wrote of a man in his 90’s who regularly worked in his garden. One day while he was chopping weeds, a child started watching him. He watched for a while, then timidly asked the man “What would you do if you only had one hour to live?” The man stopped, leaned on his hoe and said “I’d just keep on chopping weeds.” This was his task and he resolved to continue it until God called him home. What will God find you doing as He calls you home?

All scripture is from the New American Standard Version unless otherwise stated.

Photo credit for Scrabble tiles to Bret Jordan from Pexels