Does the Bible have anything to say about retirement? Not directly. If you are looking for “Thou shalt save for retirement,” you won’t find it.
But the Bible does reveal the importance of saving, taking advantage during seasons of abundance in preparation for seasons of scarcity. For many reading this, you are in your season of abundance. You are able to earn income. During the last quarter of your life, your ability to earn income may be reduced. And you enter a season of scarcity.
Consider the following verses and how they may apply to saving for retirement:
Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise. Without leader, administrator, or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest. – Proverbs 6:6-8
Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a fool consumes them. – Proverbs 21:20
Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: ants are not a strong people, yet they store up their food in the summer. – Proverbs 30:24-25
Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring riches. The son who gathers during summer is prudent; the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful. – Proverbs 10:4-5
For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? – Luke 14:28
So how much should you save for retirement. Try to put 15% of your gross income to your retirement account. If you work for a company that offers a contribution match, take full advantage of it.
My hope is that your retirement years will be the most fruitful and generous years of your life. Because you planned and saved, you are able to do more ministry and be more generous than you have ever in your life.
Take advantage of abundant financial times, when you are able to work. Because a time of scarcity will come.