I’ve had the opportunity recently to think more about a Christian’s responsibility in retirement. The scripture below-from Numbers 8:23-26- is the only direct reference to retirement in Scripture. Jesus, however, spoke indirectly about priorities without regard to age or stage of life. In the principles of Chrisian living I see both direct and subtle, and sometimes even obtuse and challenging references to use of time and all other resources, living simply, value of and participation in community, attentiveness to needs of others including across generations, thriving by allowing the fruit of the Spirit to flow through you, and more.
Some of me results of my pondering….
1.) planning for retirement is wise.
2.) know what you actually need in order to live without stress and how you will fund your needs in retirement. You worked for your money, this is the time when your money must work for you.
3.) stay prayerfully engaged with God to stay aligned with His will and how you can love and serve Him with all of who you are and what you have. Retire “to” something, not “from” something. “Work” and “worship” are the same word in Hebrew; use and interpretation is dependent on specific context.
4.) use of your talents and gifts doesn’t end with transition out of a paid career
5.) habitually tearing down and rebuilding larger storehouses is not a wise strategy in God’s view. One’s prosperity is a blessing from God and should be used for God’s glory, others’ gain, as well as one’s personal good.
What additional insights has God shown you in thinking about or living in “retirement.” What will your purpose be in those years?
CBB 7/27/25
Seen today: From UsefulGen Facebook page
“What does it feel like to be old?
Someone asked me that once, and I didn’t really know how to answer.
Not because I was offended, just surprised.
I don’t wake up every day thinking, “I’m old.”
I just wake up, stretch, and get on with it.
But later, when I sat with the question, I realized something:
Getting older isn’t something I fear.
It’s something I’m learning to appreciate.
I’m not in a rush anymore.
I don’t worry about keeping up with everything and everyone.
Some days I get things done. Some days I don’t.
Either way, life moves on.
I’ve stopped trying to fix things that don’t matter.
I’ve learned that silence is an answer.
That peace is more important than being right.
And that some people will never understand you, and that’s okay.
There are things I’ve lost along the way… people, moments, parts of myself.
And yes, some of that still hurts.
But I also carry more love than I used to.
More patience. More softness.
More understanding of what really matters.
I no longer pretend to be fine when I’m not.
I don’t explain myself as much.
And I don’t waste time worrying about what people think of me.
If I want to sit and watch the sky for an hour, I will.
If I want to cry over an old memory, I won’t stop myself.
If I want to laugh at something silly, I’ll let myself.
Because I’ve learned that time doesn’t slow down.
And joy doesn’t wait for permission.
So if you ask me what it feels like to be old…
I’d say it feels like freedom.
The kind that comes with letting go of things you used to hold too tightly.
I don’t know how much time I have left, none of us do.
But I’m not wasting what’s left of mine chasing perfection.
I just want to live quietly, honestly, and in my own way.
And if that’s what being old feels like…
I’ll take it.”
