“HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED WHAT IS ONE OF THE MAIN OBSESSIONS MOST AMERICANS ARE SADDLED WITH? wELL THE ANSWER MAY WELL SURPRISE YOU, because IT IS THE OBSESSION OF ACCUMULATING WEALTH FOR A GLORIOUS FUN-FILLED RETIREMENT”

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about these phenomena, some practical helps concerning it, and what God thinks about it all…

…A very famous and successful Christian businessman of the past once said: “Maybe I’ll retire some day, but I’m too busy now.” This man’s name was R.G. Letourneau, an inventor and successful businessman who made that statement at the age of 80 years of age! However, today our society looks at old age and considers it a time for leaving the workforce and spending the latter years of one’s life living in financial security, with the ability to go anywhere, do anything, and enjoy watching the world go by. However, the truth is although this is one of most American’s greatest dreams and obsessions, few really arrive at such a juncture of life. It’s sad these days that our entire nation works on the principle that once a person reaches the age of 60, he or she should soon retire, and move out of the mainstream of life. Why? Well the idea is they are no longer useful or productive and should be replaced with younger aggressive workers. Indeed, this idea has caused many during their productive years to begin actually “hoarding” money and funds, for those years when few will care about us, and our needs will be greatest. Yes, we call this time of life – the “Retirement years,” as some look forward to them with joyful anticipation and others with terrible dread. Well, as this is a Christian broadcast, our perspective must be what does God say about it? In a moment after another musical pause, I’ll tell you all about it…

…Many people in America seem obsessed with retirement planning. As a result they divert substantial funds from their incomes to plan for the retirement years. Unfortunately well laid plans have a habit of going sour by situations beyond our control. For instance, in the past four years, the well laid plans of retirement investments of millions of Americans nearing retirement were snuffed out by the stock market plunge at the turn of the 21^st century. Their dreams were smashed and the hopes of a bright, financially secure “golden age” were gone over night. For them many more years of work lie ahead, and a poor dismal future awaits them with their savings and retirement funds almost liquidated. Yet, for some this isn’t true at all. For a small amount of people planned for their retirement years, and when the time comes, with a bit of “luck,” they will be able to continue life with reasonable security and comfort.

Now as I’m a Christian minister, my goal is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ; That is, His saving message, that comes to all who will see His blessed work of love and grace through the cross of Calvary . Now for those who are unfamiliar with this, what I’m saying is God, the Creator of all things, is waiting to hear from all mankind. As such, we all need to look up toward Heaven and see God’s Son, Jesus Christ, clearly. Explicitly for the fact that He is the very express image of God, and the One who was sent to the earth to save us from our sins. The “Good News” of the Bible is Christ died for us, so that we will not have to die eternally in the future, and all who put their hope and trust for eternity in Jesus Christ and surrender their lives here and now to His rulership and guidance, will be saved from their sins, and face a bright and secure eternal home.  In other words, God offers to all of us the greatest retirement plan of all. Since we are created as immortal spirit creatures who will live forever, it is important that we plan for spending eternity in such security that will bring us forever comfort, joy and pleasure. This comes by investing our lives in Jesus Christ and His work and will for eternity. Now, saying all that, prior to entering the state of eternal bliss with the Lord God Himself, we must plan for our aging years here on earth. This is where the idea of “Retirement Planning and Savings” comes in. There is a lot of misunderstanding and confusion here and I’d like to clear it up at the beginning. First of all, let me do this by sharing with you what are some popular religious myths of financial planning and living many Christians have. The first is…

FIVE POPULAR RELIGIOUS MYTHS

1. IT IS SPIRITUAL TO BE POOR – 

Many a church believes this by keeping their pastors who shepherd them in such a state. What’s worse, some religions place a high spiritual premium on religious workers taking a “vow of poverty.” Still other Christians give away all they have, even their necessities of life for their homes and families in the quest to be spiritual. I met a family once in a church I served where they children went without proper food and clothing, so the parents could give almost all their funds to “missions” in the church. However, the truth is poverty is not next to spirituality. Rather, God condemns the misuse or preoccupation with money as sin, not the earning or having of it. Now the second religious myth about finances is…

2. HAVING MONEY AND WHAT IT BUYS BRINGS HAPPINESS – 

The truth is there is no relationship between money and happiness. God’s Word tells us,

1 Tim 6:17 (NLT)  Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.

Many times excess wealth ruins homes and families, and causes hearts to be filled with greed and selfishness. Once it is reported that, John D. Rockefeller stopped his limousine to have his shoes shined. The poor boy that was working on his shoes look at the expensive car, and the fine clothes of the gentleman and asked: “Mr. Rockefeller, how much money is enough? John D. Rockefeller stared at him and growled: “Just a little bit more!” Indeed, there is never enough once our hearts are captured by the quest to gain and hoard money. Yet, happiness does not come from the accumulation of riches. Here’s a third myth,

3. MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL – 

How many times have we all heard that? But that is not what the Bible says about money. This is a misquote of Paul the apostle’s words to a young pastor named Timothy. The verse quoted properly reads:

1 Tim 6:10 (NLT)  For the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

So, it is the inordinate quest for and gaining of money at any and all expense, which leads to all other kinds of sins. How true this is, as we can see in the greed of corporate management of so many failed companies and their managers. From the great “Enron” corporation executives to Martha Stewart, the quest to gain and keep money at all expense led to their downfalls. Now there is one more religious myth concerning money and planning to secure it for our futures. It is…

5.  TO BECOME WEALTHY IS SIN – 

The Bible is filled with examples whereby God allowed and even delivered large wealth to certain of His children. It appeared also that those who prospered spiritually by it, had a different attitude than most toward money. Abraham, Job, Boaz, David, and Solomon in the Old Testament, and men like Barnabas the wealthy landowner, Lydia the Christian businesswoman, and Philemon the slave owner in the New Testament  – all had apparent wealth, but never a word of condemnation of them, just praise from God in His Word. The key to this is found in their attitude toward wealth. What one thinks about it, and does as a response to it, determines whether we are sinning as a result of it.

Now saying all these thing, sets the stage for what a Christian should and should not do with money as we grow old and look toward the retirement years. I myself am fully aware that the years can so easily slip by and before we know it the “golden Years” of life await us in the near future, along with the question  – HAVE WE PLANNED FOR IT? Herein lies the obsession with many in our nation whether Christian or non-Christian.

Now exactly what does God say about it? Well, I’m no financial expert, but I have listened to those who are, and can share with you what all of them tell us what Christian’s need to do about planning for retirement. Since I’ve just shared with you a couple of common RELIGIOUS MYTHS OF MONEY & THE CHRISTIAN, now I want to share with some NECESSARY TRUTHS OF MONEY & THE CHRISTIAN, so stay with me for if you heed this good advice your roadmap to retirement will be clearly marked and a comfortable one with God’s hand of blessing to follow you. Let’s begin. First of all as to handling money…

 I. ALL CHRISTIANS SHOULD MAKE SOME PLANS FOR RETIREMENT – 

Whether you are in the full time ministry or just a worker in society, all of us are commanded by God to create a surplus in our lives and put it away for the future. God’s Word says,

Prov 21:20 (NLT)  The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.

This principle of wise savings is seen in God’s call for Joseph in Egypt to store up surplus grain during the productive years, for a time when famine would strike the land of Egypt . Because Joseph did this with Pharaoh’s agreement, the Egyptians and Israelites were saved from starvation. This is God’s teachings in practice. So the first thing we need to do is find a way to accumulate a surplus of our earnings to invest for the future. Now that is easier said than done; but, nonetheless it can be done by almost all Christians regardless of their financial incomes. The problem of course is many Christians cannot set aside funds for the future because they have mortgaged it by unnecessary and frivolous debt. So here are some rules to gain surplus to invest in your future.

2. REMEMBER GOD IS THE REAL OWNER OF ALL YOU HAVE – 

None of us have anything, but what God has permitted to come into our lives. Your job, your paycheck, even your natural abilities, talents and education to earn it comes from the God who created you. If one keeps this perspective, it will go a long way in keeping us from frivolous, needless spending and debt. Be sure to surrender all you have back to God. That will begin to free us from the idea that what we have is our possessions. Then do the next things,

3. KEEP YOURSELF FROM THE BONDAGE OF DEBT – 

As much as possible stay away from consumer debt. If you are already in debt to credit cards and the like, make plans to pay it off and stop spending. Drive a used car, even with repairs it most likely cheaper than regular payments for a new one. Don’t purchase a home larger than your needs, and live a lifestyle that is simpler than most American’s quest for having the latest and newest gadgets. The bumper sticker “he who dies with the most toys wins,” is a lie from Hell itself. If you do not operate under debt, almost all healthy employed Americans can have enough funds for the necessities of life and a reasonable savings plan too. Fourth,

4. SET OUT TO ESTABLISH A “BUDGET” AND STAY WITH IT – 

Every family should work through a budget. Those who are in serious debt troubles, all have no budget and have no idea where their money goes. As a result, foolish spending characterizes their lives. If you establish a budget you can begin to set aside funds for future purchases and even retirement. Categorize the budget into three categories: (1) Necessities & needs, such as housing, food, clothing, a job, medical expenses, etc. (2) Wants and desires, which covers things in life we dream of, but only purchase if they help us to grow in our love for the Lord, and do not impede our serving Him and His kingdom. (3) Savings & investments, which cover putting away surplus funds for future purchases rather than using credit, and money for your retirement years when you can no longer be steadily employed. Fifth,

5. BE SURE TO GIVE BACK TO GOD A PORTION OF YOUR INCOME(S)–

This is not only sound advice for a Christian but commanded by God of all of us who claim His Name. Now depending on your religious background, many today teach a believer should “tithe” his income to God’s work. Some teach this 10% should come off the gross earnings, others the net earnings. Regardless, I find nowhere in the New Testament where God commands us to pay to the church and its works a tithe of income. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not advocating giving little to nothing. The Old Testament sets the principle God expects His “adult sons” the New Testament believer to follow in love rather than law. However if you think tithing is 10% you are dead wrong! Tithing in the Old Testament was cumulative totaling 23½ % of the believers’ income. This was paid to various ministries of the Lord which included running the theocratic government of Israel . But in addition to this, God required the Old Testament saint to give beyond this 23 ½%, to the work of the Lord out of a grateful and generously thankful heart. Such is the church today.

If you are a Christian and you are not giving regularly of your various incomes to the work of the Lord, you are sinning against Him and His Word. How much should you give? God answers,

Luke 6:38 (NLT)  If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving--large or small--it will be used to measure what is given back to you."

 2 Cor 9:7 (NLT) [AS TO GIVING] You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully.

What this verse says is, you can never out give God! God is the provider of all you have and He gives to you first of all that you will be a channel for His funding His works, and that you be an instrument to turn riches into blessings for yourself and others. If we really want a future with God’s blessings we actually must begin here first. Failure to do this is the sin of “HOARDING,” God’s gift for oneself, which the Bible condemns.

Now if you follow these measures, you can in time get out of debt in time, and begin investing in your future, especially for those retirement years. Now speaking of that, we need to discuss the ways of planning for the future. First of all I’ve discovered,

THERE IS NO RETIREMENT CONCEPT IN SCRIPTURE – 

The reason for this is God does not plan for anyone to retire from working and life. Yes, as we grow older our present jobs and responsibilities as a younger person, may no longer be fit for our age, but the Bible tells us we are to “occupy till He comes” (Luke 19:13 ). We should plan to supplement any loss of income that might come from switching from full-time work to part-time, or later in very old age, no work. But the idea that one should retire after 55 or at least in their 60’s is nonsense unless health demands it of course. Too many have the idea they need to retire and lead a life of luxury and happiness doing nothing. Statistics show those who cease to be involved in regular forms of work die early and those who continue on in although diminished ways when necessary, live longer and happier. So now that we’ve established the need to stay involved in some form of work, we must remember for the Christian that often means the best and most productive work can be in the retirement years of serving the Lord. Those churches that have a large element of retirement members should be the most active of all, yet sad to say often it is not. Why? Well, many are traveling about with the bumber-stickers on their cars or RV’s “I’m spending my children’s inheritance.” How wrong they are! They are spending God’s surplus given to them for investment in His kingdom work, along with their time and talents too.

Nonetheless planning for retirement is necessary for us all. Now quickly here are some basic principles to help younger people to make plans for their future when work responsibilities and incomes diminish, or cease altogether.

1. BEGIN TO INVEST SURPLUS FUNDS IN LONG TERM CONSERVATIVE INVESTMENTS – It is not wrong to invest in the stock market, or real-estate etc. But stay away from get-rich-quick schemes, offers and volatile high interest earning investments. This is a form of gambling which God forbids. Responsible savings and investments are of God and nothing else will do.

2.  LIVE WISELY TODAY SO YOUR NEEDS AND DESIRES FOR THE FUTURE ARE OBTAINABLE – Extravagant living today will only create unhappiness when you have to retire and live in a much diminished standard. Beside the fact, God does not want us living above our means or creating a means of life that causes the majority of our funds to go to ourselves rather than His work for which He gives it to us in the first place. Live wisely, and be content with the simpler things of life. If you are growing older nearing retirement age, slim down, maybe purchase a smaller home before you retire, start using less conveniences, etc. Prepare, prepare, prepare for those retirement years so when they come there will be little change in your living.

3. BEGIN TO LEARN OR PRACTICE NEW JOB SKILLS THAT WILL COMFORTABLY FIT YOUR RETIREMENT YEARS – There will come a time when physically and mentally you will not be able to work full-time at the pace and requirements of today’s jobs. You will need to seek part-time work in less demanding employment. Why not prepare for it while you have the years of youth? God will lead you to such things as the time for retirement looms ahead. Myself, it is my desire to move from a full-time pastor to a part-time pastor when the time comes for me. I have no plans to retire preaching God’s Word or serving the body of Christ. My schedule and time commitment may change, but not my desire and heart. Yes a time will come when I’ll have to give that up too, but then hopefully with good investment I’ll be able to do that in God’s timing and plans. You too my friend, make plans for your future, for it will come sooner than you think!

Well there you have it. Some good advice for us all and a good roadmap to retirement. However, the question is will you ignore it and hope for the best when the time comes, or when it does will you be like most and consider the “Golden Years” a time for yourself, or for God? The former will not bring happiness and even regret in eternity and the latter will bring joy, happiness, and maybe even a longer healthier life for God can continue to use you in His work.

Well, it’s your choice and remember retirement plans begin with your place in eternity. Have you invested in God’s Son Jesus Christ? You pay no money, you just give your heart and life, and He returns a blessing beyond your expectations and joy. May God have spoken to your heart to become His child by faith alone in Jesus Christ, and then to plan your life to serve Him even unto old age. God will keep all who do and provide whatever is necessary for them and their needs. That’s the great promise of God.