What Retirement is For
“If you are going to have enough money to retire, then tune in this Sunday at ten and find out how.”
I have never heard more radio spots promoting “retirement” than I have here in Phoenix. All the wealth management firms are suggesting the same thing: retiring comfortably is the goal – the highest goal – in this life. But I don’t believe this for a minute. In fact, as I look at the Bible there is NO retirement for Christians. God does not intend for us to reach a certain point in life after which we are only responsible for turning oxygen into carbon dioxide and, if there’s time left over, to make some house repairs, watch TV, and play a little golf.
No matter if we are 25 or 80, our lives are short and we are blessed to be a blessing – to the very end – with all of our God-given resources and talents, with all of our might. Retirement is a pernicious idea made up by wealthier civilizations to justify selfishness, our default human condition.
On the other hand, there is a way of looking at retirement that is a graduation into a fuller and more fulfilling life of Christian service. I know people who can’t wait to retire so that they have more time to help others in a way that utilized their giftedness. A friend uses his expertise to drill dozens of wells for fresh water in Honduras. A business leader mentors younger business leaders. A retired schoolteacher reads books to children at a local library. A sweet older lady goes to the Chandler House to rock special-needs babies. Lots of retired folks spend time every week delivering Holy Communion to the sick and homebound and others find tremendous meaning and purpose in being part of the church’s healing prayer ministry.
To retire from life is to waste what is supposed to be the most valuable time of our lives, when, because of life-experience and wisdom, we can be the biggest blessing to the Body of Christ. There are three Greek words the Bible uses for life. Two (bios and psuche) have to do with biologically taking up space on the earth. The third, zoe, is qualitatively different. It’s the word Jesus uses when he said, “I came that you might have life, abundant life” (John 10:10). It’s life lived in close fellowship with God that Adam and Eve enjoyed before they fell. It’s the life restored to those who receive God’s grace and forgiveness. It is life in the Spirit that is full of adventure, risk and excitement – until we leave this mirrored existence to enter the fullness of life.
When Dallas Willard died, it was said of him that it took him weeks before he realized that he was in heaven because he really lived heaven (life!) to the fullest to the end (and beyond!). It’s this zoe that I want for my working years and for my retirement years.