As noted in a recent letter, the combination of an industrialized society, greater longevity and corporate down sizing has focused attention on the retirement years. Last month the editorial explored scriptural comment on the issue, noting its emphasis on children providing for their parents when the parents can no longer care for themselves. Brief mention was also made of community obligation in this regard and of the underlying assurance that God will provide for all His servants. This month, we complete our considerations.
Using retirement
Comment on this matter would not be complete without noting that in our societies, retirement comes to many people while they are still healthy and vigorous. This affords great opportunity for work in Christ, as is regularly evidenced around us.
A retired couple makes possible a mini-fraternal weekend by driving 300 miles to pick up four elderly brothers and sisters and taking them 400 miles to a small ecclesia. Another couple makes an extended visit to America by locating near small ecclesias where they can be of service. And regular readers know of the on-going opportunity for retired brethren to serve in Antigua. In fact, in many mission areas, a good percentage of the workers are healthy, and not so healthy, retired believers determined to help as long as possible in the Master’s service. (We suspect some potential in this regard may exist in Cuiaba, Brazil.)
While the world may view the “golden years” as a time to catch up on the pleasures of this life, the believer will see them as an opportunity to serve his Lord.
Advantages of God’s family plan
As noted last month, scripture makes pointed reference to the duty of children toward parents in their final years. The concept is hardly novel, being the accepted practice in many societies and among many segments of our own, where the nuclear family is still strong and respected.
There are significant advantages in following the divine prescription. Grandparents provide useful daycare for grandchildren. Many a grandchild has learned much about household chores and spiritual principles from their Grandpa and Grandma. Parents may combine with children in financing or enlarging a house which serves their needs for a while and later proves useful to children and grandchildren.
There is, as well, an intuitive strengthening of family ties if, for years in advance, parents and children know they must some day again get along under the same roof. Everybody involved should have extra incentive to develop and preserve cordial relationships.
Problems with pension schemes
When entering the work force, it doesn’t take long before pension plans become a significant consideration. If the employer provides one, concerns arise about vesting so all is not lost if one leaves the employ. If there is no plan or a supplementary one is available, the incentive exists to set aside some income for future needs. (Of course, these needs do not loom as great if one can look forward to family and community help.)
All of these schemes present a common problem to the believer: Whether our pension program consists of savings in the bank, an IRA, mutual funds, a personal investment program or the pension fund at work, all depend for success on the stability and prosperity of the world. Involved in any of these plans, we breathe a sigh of relief when inflation is low and the markets are up. Yet we know “the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (II Peter 3:7).
It is true the great judgments will come when our Lord returns and the faithful will be immortal participants at the Lord’s side. But our societies are increasingly given over to violence and license. Who can say how long God will hold back His judgment? It could deservedly come before the end time.
Great reliance on pension schemes thus creates for the believer some conflict of conscience: on one hand he knows iniquity must be judged, while on the other he worries that if judgment does come, his investments will be wiped out.
There is another problem as well. One becomes hesitant to touch retirement savings even for a worthy need and one is often loathe to touch the current income being set aside even for worthy expenses. True, one can usually borrow against retirement savings, but there is always disincentive to do so. We thus feel it is unwise for the believer to become excessive in setting aside for the future.
This is not recommending an abandonment of retirement savings, but we suggest the servant of God needs to be aware of his attachment to the stability of this world. And we need to remember the exhortation to those who have some money that they should not “trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God…That they do good, that they be rich in good works” (I Tim. 6:17-18).
Parents not to abuse their children
Last month, reference was made to I Timothy 5, citing God’s family and community plan to provide for parents and widows. That same chapter is remarkably candid, however, about possible abuses by the older person. These can obviously occur. As Paul notes elsewhere, the basic arrangement is: “Children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children” (II Cor. 12:14).
The precautions urged to Timothy were to preserve this basic order and ensure children were not burdened before the time. Normal common sense and loving concern for others will also see the divine provisions are used but not abused.
Conclusion
In considering this practical issue, let us give full regard to the divine principles so that we may be able to say with Job: “The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy” (Job 29:13).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One