401k's and retirement funds

[Guest]

I'm curious as to whether you are investing towards retirement now or trusting God for the future.

Some questions that surround this are:
- Is it Godly to invest for retirement?
- Is trusting God an equally valid option (providing that you are investing the funds into His kingdom)?
- Does Scripture have anything to say regarding this?
- Does being a husband influence this decision?


Please share what you are doing and why.

[Guest]

Hi Schoel, I do put away for retirement although i have no plans or interest in retiring. I think that God wants us to be productive and give to the kingdom of God as long as we are able.

[Guest]

How does "Lay not up treasures on earth" play into this?

[Guest]

How does "Lay not up treasures on earth" play into this?

I don't think a retirement account is counted as a treasure just a precaution for Jesus never contradicted what Proverbs says "The ant is wise because it gathers up food in the summer to get through the winter."

[Guest]

Schoel,

Seems to me the third choice is not valid. The word "just" (only?) in the second choice makes it conflict with the first choice.

We have several types of savings for retirement. I say have, but someone else has almost all of it. That's the way it is when you invest, you trust you will get it back.

I agree with steve7150's response to loaves. I see my woodpile as a metaphor. We prefer wood heat. I have been cutting, splitting, and stacking wood in the woodshed, I suppose you could say "laying it up". I suppose I could forget about it and "just trust God" that there will always be wood in the shed when I need it but somehow I don't think Jesus had that in mind regarding "laying up treasures". Isn't stocking up on firewood similar in principle to saving for old age? I believe we are told "let each man bear his own burden" to the extent possible.

It is not possible for us to be sure we will not be a burden to someone in the future; we have no long term care insurance, but Lord willing we will not be. Without a plan of some sort for retirement it would seem almost certain to be a burden on someone at some point, at least society in general.

I realize God provided manna for the Israelites but when He brought them to a place where they could "earn their keep" He cut it off.

[Guest]

Prov 13:22
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
NKJV

I'll probably never make enough to do that, but I do have retirement savings accounts. I plan on retiring from secular work (Lord willing), but it will only be to move on to the next task the Lord has for us. My wife and I have talked about missions and we would rather not burden others with supporting us if we are able to support ourselves. But, who knows? God may move me on to something else sooner than that. I'll leave that up to Him.

Some questions that surround this are:
- Is it Godly to invest for retirement?
- Is trusting God an equally valid option (providing that you are investing the funds into His kingdom)?
- Does Scripture have anything to say regarding this?
- Does being a husband influence this decision?

I think either option is valid depending on what the Lord calls you to do. I don't think one way is any more trusting in God than the other if you are following His will for your life.

At the moment, I honestly can't think of any other scripture that pertains to this subject than what Steve7150 listed.

I do also feel that it's one of my duties as a husband to provide for my wife should I die first.

One thing is for certain though. I won't be retiring the way most people in our culture do. I can't imagine just retiring to live a life of ease and doing nothing for the kingdom.

[Guest]

How about working for a living? Is this an "earthly endeavour" and a failure to "trust God to provide".

I know some Bible schools and other Christian organizations who have a great spiel about how God has provided for their needs. But I notice everyone of them makes constant appeals for funds.

This is quite a contrast to the practice of George Müller, who received in total the equivalent of over 7 million dollars to provide for the orphans in his orphanage, and yet never asked anyone for a cent of it. Indeed, he often refused donations unless he was convinced by the would-be donor that it was God who sent him to give. More than once he refused those who gave from the motive of being concerned for the well-being of the
orphans.

[Guest]

Paidion,

I'm confused. You said:

More than once he refused those who gave from the motive of being concerned for the well-being of the
orphans.

Is this what you meant to say? Sounds like he thought mercy was a wrong motive for giving. Please clarify.

Thanks, Homer

[Guest]

I'm confused. You said:

More than once he refused those who gave from the motive of being concerned for the well-being of the
orphans.

Is this what you meant to say? Sounds like he thought mercy was a wrong motive for giving. Please clarify.

Yes indeed, that is what I meant to say! Have you ever read George Müller's diary, Homer?

I'm sure he didn't think, as a general principle that "mercy was a wrong motive for giving."

However, our brother Müller's orphan ministry wasn't general. His whole purpose in setting up the orphanage was to demonstrate to the world what God could do without any help from man. Having a heart for the orphans is wonderful, but if George had accepted gifts on this ground, he felt that this would be man's doing. He accepted gifts only if the giver could convince him that God had specifically sent him with that gift. Then George felt that all of the glory for providing for the orphans would go to God.

[Guest]

I don't think saving for retirement is wrong for everyone. In our culture these days the children generally don't take care of their parents like they used to. I don't ever plan on "retiring" either but of course I'm 26 and that's easy to say now.