Is retirement a scriptural idea?

[Hunterpoet]

I think retirement as we understand it evolved out of the industrial revolution. That being the concept that after having served a specified number of years or reached a certain age, a person is then entitled to receive compensation and enjoy a less stressful life.

LOL...even as I was typing this the word fairytale kept popping into my head.

So, that having been said.....NO....retirement is not a scriptural idea, but I'm ill prepared to justify or support my position with scripture.

[Believer1997]

Despite the almost daily liturgy I hear from a supervisor close to retirement when he begins to moan and wail .."God, please let me retire from this place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" repeatedly....

I don't think God ever wanted us to be idle - at whatever age. It's good to work - maybe not at a job you don't enjoy - but to make yourself useful.... volunteering - teaching skills you know... work doesn't always mean a paycheck in $$ - sometimes it's in gratitude from those you serve. I have several elderly family members who rise each morning, dress and go about the business they are now in - serving for the good of many - one is 92 and is at the state legislature opening each year - I can't keep up with her.... another is 87 and works 4 mornings a week at a food bank helping to stock groceries.... another 83 crochets baby blankets for a crisis center that assists families needing baby clothes, etc. There is so much work to be done - never retire from life....

[other one]

i surely hope we don't decide I have to go back to work...

[ladypeartree]

I have never been so busy since I " retired " I look after my elderly mother ( and my father till he died last year ) as well as 6 of my grandchildren ususally on a rota basis but it is not that unusual for them all to be here at the same time.

I also shop for several house bound elderly neighbours of my parents, bake cakes that get raffled or sold for various charities, as well as being able to grow more veggies that I give away to many elderly perople around here.

[Guest shiloh357]

I did not mention idleness in that post Jack. I referred to the mindset that older folks should be forced from their jobs to make way for the young.

Most people I know who are retired did so by choice. They feel they have earned the right to do so. Outside of trying to cover misdeeds or to avoid the unpleasantries of being fired, I don't know of anyone who is being forced to retire.

[oldzimm]

retirement, Retirement, RETIREMENT! Oh man, those years are coming on fast and furious.

I believe once a person does the "R" word, he or she can be a great benefit to God and others, after retiring I would think a person might be able to donate more time to the Church or help in any organization that helps others.

Now don't forget that these are suppose to be the "GOLDEN YEARS", so don't over do it and enjoy life.

The GOLDEN YEARS, hmmmmmmm that has me thinking now, they say life begins at 40................... well I'm 55 and I'm still waiting.

[oldzimm]

Wow, I forgot to finish my post. I'm not a big fan of retirement homes, they seem to me like a place where people just go to and wait to die. If my children can't take care of me and want to pawn me off on somebody else, I'm just going to say leave me alone, I'll live by myself the best I can.

When I do die, I hope before hand that I can pin a letter to my shirt that says "To whomever finds me, take one shovel, dig one hole, roll me in and cover me up, I'll pay you later."

[ladypeartree]

[georgedrw81]

Did retire about six years ago just like the adverts of lottery winners show which display a life of doing nothing. While it looks great in the adverts, and it is at the begining, it turns boring after a while. In human terms it means actively contributing to the human system/society. However there is also God's work to be done and that has no retirement age. In my case I am returning to active work by learning new skills. My new career is the one God choose for me to spread His word. The real retirement is scriptual: to believe, trust, praise and glorify Him, spread the Word of True Light and live a life like Jesus - our reward is to be with His love for us.

Now that is a retirement I am looking foward to.

Blessings

[MorningGlory]

Wow, I forgot to finish my post. I'm not a big fan of retirement homes, they seem to me like a place where people just go to and wait to die. If my children can't take care of me and want to pawn me off on somebody else, I'm just going to say leave me alone, I'll live by myself the best I can.

When I do die, I hope before hand that I can pin a letter to my shirt that says "To whomever finds me, take one shovel, dig one hole, roll me in and cover me up, I'll pay you later."

That is SO funny, O.Z. But it's the same way I feel about retirement. I figure I'll have to work another 25 years and then.....if my kids put me in a retirement home, I've already told them "I'll escape and I know where you live".