Retirement: Insights From The BibleChikamu

What’s your Number?

I remember the day I turned 46. 

My son called me up to wish me a happy birthday and then asked me what my plans for the rest of my life were, now that I was getting so old. I promptly replied – without even thinking – that he should show a little respect because I was only half-way done and would still be around to torment him for quite a while. Ha!

Since that day, my ultimate age of 92 still comes up in conversations from time to time. Usually we joke about it, but when I recently turned 60, I gave it some serious thought. 

Our little family joke means that I have 32 years to go. Take away a few years for being really old and maybe no longer active, that still leaves more than 25 years of useful life. But useful for what?

In this study plan, we’re going to explore what retirement might look like, and check the Bible to see what God has to say about it as well. But, before we do that, let’s find your number – how old do you think you will be when you die? 

Of course, there’s no way to know, but you might reflect on a few things to make a guess. Think about your parents, aunts & uncles, maybe even older siblings – how old are they now or when they died? Why did they die? Add to the mix your lifestyle, weight, health, and think about how these might affect your expected lifespan compared to those who went before you. 

Now sit in silence for a moment – really – just close your eyes and imagine yourself an old person, and pick a number for your ultimate age. Just pick any number and imagine that is how old you might be. Let’s call this your LifeSpan.

In Psalm 90, the Bible tells us to number our days so that we might become wise:

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)

Now that you have your number, let’s open the door to the wisdom part…

First, subtract your current age from the number you just picked as your LifeSpan. This is the number of years still to go.

Next, think about being really old – how close to the end of your LifeSpan will you be when you are no longer living on your own and become incapable of continuing the activities you now enjoy? Although this might be ten years or more, most of us hope for less.

Now, subtract these last years of being really old from your LifeSpan. The remaining difference is the number of years you have left to go as an active adult.

With this estimate of how many years you may have left, maybe you can envision a life change still to come: an entirely new career, applying your talent or expertise to help others less fortunate, learning a new skill you always wanted to pick up, or something else. It’s as if you’re a new graduate with the world ahead of you.

Or maybe you’ve arrived at your number and you’re not too happy about it. Don’t get depressed, but praise the LORD that you still have time to enjoy life, relationships, and apply yourself in a way that honors Him.

Reflect on these things and see if God won’t give you wisdom for your retirement as we go through this study together. 

Need some extra help? Then just ask for it – see James 1:5.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me this day, and the days ahead. Help me to number my days so that I may gain wisdom and insight into what my retirement might look like. To your glory, Amen.