Biblical retirement

[Guest]

17Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’;
            Cursed is the ground because of you;
            In toil you will eat of it
            All the days of your life.

      18“Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you;
            And you will eat the plants of the field;

      19By the sweat of your face
            You will eat bread,
            Till you return to the ground,
            Because from it you were taken;
            For you are dust,
            And to dust you shall return.”

 

 

16And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. 17“And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ 18“Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’

 

Question: What do we think of retirement, from a biblical perspective?

 

Note: No need to point out that retirement is not the topic in context, I know this. To see the context, go here !

[Guest]

It might be a good idea to define the term "retirement" first.

 

I was blessed to see a good example of a Biblical retirement might be, at least for the couple in question. A couple I knew reached retirement age and were well "set" from a worldly perspective. God had blessed their business and investments over the years so that they did not have to work any more just to survive and their house and other debts were all paid off. It was an enviable position to be in. I asked the husband who I had known for years what they planned to do.

 

He said "retirement" meant that now they were free to do what ever the Lord would have them do for the kingdom. With in months they were ministering in Haiti after the earthquake there, and in Columbia later on. They are still at it in their 70's, although health issues have forced them to return home, but they are still actively serving the Lord in various ways. They both say it has been the best time of their lives even with all the trials that have gone with it.

 

They both believe that "retirement" for a child of God means that you're done working when Jesus calls you home.

 

I'd like to follow their example one day.

[Guest man]

Question: What do we think of retirement, from a biblical perspective?

 

 

I believe it's like walla's friends pointed out, retirement starts when the heart stops. The job of a believer is to proclaim the good news. Jesus worked right up until the day He died. If we are to follow in His footsteps, as the bible states, we should do the same. 

[nebula]

Retire - that's what I do when the treads on my car have worn too thin.

[other one]

how old are you folks?

[OneLight]

I don't plan on retiring, just working easier, and for myself.

[Guest]

how old are you folks?

62 at the moment, hoping to perhap make it to 70 one day, if not, no big deal.

[OneLight]

how old are you folks?

 

A young 60 myself.

[Guest ninhao]

Biblical retirement.

 

1Sa 28:16-20  Samuel said, "Why do you consult me, now that the LORD has departed from you and become your enemy?  (17)  The LORD has done what he predicted through me. The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors--to David.  (18)  Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the LORD has done this to you today.  (19)  The LORD will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines."  (20)  Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel's words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and all that night.

 

1Sa 4:18  When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his chair by the side of the gate. His neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man, and he was heavy. He had led Israel forty years.

[Guest]

how old are you folks?

 

 

52, and unless something positive changes in the near future, the "golden years" will not be so golden.