Retirement 2: Planning of Finances, Purpose & HealthSýnishorn

Retirement: Your Purpose

Last time, we saw that regardless of your financial situation, your retirement now affords you the extra time that you may invest in doing those good works which God has already prepared for you.

Now, let’s start with this verse to think about setting your retirement goals:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 6:19-21

Especially in retirement, each day that passes brings us closer to our heavenly destination. Therefore, the idea of shifting our focus to build treasure in heaven makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it? After all, in retirement, none of us should be looking to build worldly wealth. By now, our kids have grown up, our careers have finished, and so our focus should shift away from building on earth to building in heaven, right?

But what does it mean to build heavenly treasure? And how does that fit for you?

Remember the story of Moses from our first retirement reading plan? God met Moses to tell him that he is the one to go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses asks how he will do that, and God asks him the question “What’s in your hand?” (Exodus 4:2)

• Moses had only a shepherd’s staff in his hand, but was still called to free the Israelites.(Exodus 4:1-3)
• David had only a slingshot, but in the name of the LORD, he was able to kill the mighty giant. (1 Samuel 17:40-50)
• A little boy had only 5 loaves + 2 fishes, but given to Jesus it fed over five thousand. (John 6:9-13)

If you are reading this plan, then you surely have more than a shepherd’s staff, a slingshot, or a little food in your hand. And, regardless of what you have in your hand (how little or how much) at the time of your retirement, God can use you.

Until now, your may have had your hands full with work and other commitments. But in retirement, the biggest consumer of your time (work) will be gone. Now your hands are left holding only those things that God needs you to have for your retirement.

Remember this verse:

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.– Ephesians 2:10

God has been at work in your life all through your life, giving you talents, experiences, insights, and contacts that can all work together to build His Kingdom here on earth at this time in your life.

Try this three-step approach to get started In discovering the good works God has planned for you:

1. Make a list of what God might has given you in life so far: talents, experiences, insights, and contacts.
2. Which of the above are most interesting for you? Where does your passion lie?
3. How might God use your passions to serve others? Can you build an action plan around that?

Finally, as you search for your purpose in retirement, let this verse be your guide:

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble… even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. – 1 Corinthians 10:31-33