Does God Have

A Retirement Plan?

I

t would be difficult to go through a week without hearing someone speak about retirement. We hear it over the news and in private conversations. There are those who are saving their money, making investments, and counting off the years as they dream about retirement. When many are asked why they want to retire, they say in essence, “I want to stop working and begin playing.”

Certainly, getting older and retiring from one’s occupation is a reality of life, and planning for such is wise. However, a very serious problem occurs when this same concept is brought into the church, because this DOES NOT represent the will of God.

As shocking as it may seem, God does not have a retirement plan for His children on this earth. In fact, His word teaches that we are to serve according to our abilities as long as we live. The only time mentioned for Christians to rest from their labors is at their death. During John’s experiences in the book of Revelation, he was told: “Write: `Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them" (Revelation 14:13).

The apostle Paul set forth the principle of serving faithfully until death when he wrote: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9). He did not mention early retirement!

It is true that we become limited as we get older, but this does not give us a spiritual license to quit. Age does not stop us from doing as much as we can in our physical lives, and the same must be true in the spiritual. No, God does not expect us to serve beyond what we are able to do. However, He does expect us to do what we can.

When Paul wrote his friend Philemon, he referred to himself as “Paul, the aged,” but he was still serving the Lord in prison. In fact, he did not retire until he was ready to be offered, and had finished the race (2 Timothy 4:6,7).

What about our lives in the church today, have we retired? Have we turned the entire teaching, visitation, sharing the gospel through tracts and correspondence courses, and attending all the appointed services over to those who are younger? Have we grown weary in well doing? Can we honestly sing, “We’ll work till Jesus comes, and we’ll be gathered home?” Have we written our OWN retirement plans?

There have been those in the church who have said, “Now that I have retired from my employment, I can give more time to the work of the Lord.” This is the attitude that pleases God! Therefore, let all of us in the church have the attitude: “With God’s help, I will do the best I can, and serve Him as long as I can, and then I will take my retirement in heaven. —BBBristow