What Does Jesus say about Retirement?

What Does Jesus say about Retirement?

by Janis Cox

Retirement
Retirement (Photo credit: Tax Credits)

When the time comes and you have the ability to “retire” from the workforce, I want you to seriously consider this term.

What does retirement mean to you?

The dictionary says that retirement is the action of leaving your job and ceasing to work. Look at the three ideas stated below and tell me if you agree with them for retirement.

      • Not getting up at the same time every day
      • Having lots of free time to play and travel
      • Putting your feet up and doing nothing

Those are 3 often-thought ideas. I would like to show you how this time of life after work does not mean these things.

Not getting up at the same time every day?

I have heard it said that if you want to sleep well, and live healthy lives, get up at the same time every day. So when you retire – whatever time you do decide to get up – get up at that time every day.

Having lots of free time to play and travel?

What is play? Is that to do exercise or to be with the crowd? Both are fine – in moderation. But to just play every day – just to fill in the days? There is something wrong here. Take a look at your motive for play. And travel – for the sake of just doing something? Is that wise? I am just asking. What does Jesus say?

Putting your feet up and doing nothing?

I have heard that using your brain and your muscles will keep your body functioning better longer. Doing nothing – will NOT help you.

A better word for retirement should be realignment. (click to tweet)

It means leaving the work that you have been doing and finding other pursuits to inspire you for the next years.

Prayer comes into the equation as it always should.

Pray for discernment. Where does God want you to go? What does He want you to spend your time doing? These are important questions.

To live a remote, retired, secluded life is the antipodes of spirituality as Jesus Christ taught it (Oswald Chambers, July 10).

Jesus does not want us to lay back, sleep in and play all the time. He wants us to be actively involved in the lives of others. He wants us to be spiritually active.

Jesus Christ never encourages the idea of retirement – “Go tell My brethren . .” (Oswald Chambers, July 10).

We need to heed Jesus’ words – Go tell My brethren. Don’t stop spreading the Good News.

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works (Hebrews 10:24, NLT).

One caution – don’t go too far the other way either. Don’t think that active work (even in the name of God) is the same as spiritual activity.

We need to be alive to Christ – and let Him show us where and how to spend our energy. Get excited about knowing Jesus.

So if you are nearing the “retirement” age – start praying for God to show you the next step. Continue to be excited about Jesus and how He will impact this next stage of your life.

If you are in the “retirement” age – check out what you are doing with your time. Ask Jesus to reveal to you what He wants you to be doing with this time of your life. Listen to Him and then obey.

Prayer:

Father, as men and women near the retirement factor or are in that stage of their lives, help them to see Your plan for them. Inspire them to look beyond the world’s retirement image. Create a new vision for them to show them how to be spiritually active. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

Janis Cox

Janis Cox - Author and Illustrator

Janis, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. A writer since 2003, Janis co-ordinates a group blog called Under the Cover of Prayer. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters. Janis is the author of the award winning children’s book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. For more information visit Janis on her website He Cares for You. She is a member of The Word Guild and Inscribe Writers Fellowship.

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