Jeremy L. Berg

Here’s a litmus test to see whether you see the world through a Christian worldview or have been conformed to the culture we inhabit:  Do you believe in Retirement?

Read the New Testament and show me on Christ follower who wasted away their final years in self-indulgence and liesure while a broken and dying world sat waiting to hear and experience the new life available in Christ.  All of the apostles died young, giving their lives up for the sake of following Jesus and announcing the arrival of the Kingdom.  Paul’s last sea cruise was in chains to Rome where he eventually was beheaded. Only John died an old man — but his Florida was exile in the mines and quarries of the island of Patmos.

“For me, to live is Christ; and to die is gain. As long as I’m alive in this body, there is good work for me to do” (Phil 1:21-22).

Paul tells us to imitate him as he imitates Jesus.  Paul gave every breath he had to serving Christ and furthering the advance of the gospel.  Life meant service.  Death meant reward.  No mention of Retirement as reward before death.  John Piper says it best:

John Piper writes in Don’t Waste Your Life, “I will tell you what a tragedy is. I will show you how to waste your life. Consider this story from the February 1998 Reader’s Digest: A couple ‘took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30-foot trawler, play softball and collect shells. . . . .’ Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: ‘Look, Lord. See my shells.’ That is a tragedy.

I’m grateful for those who have reached retirement age and now see this new found freedom and availability as an opportunity to further invest their time in the work of the Kingdom, and serving the Body of Christ.  What a gift to God’s church these saints are!

Please don’t misunderstand me: I believe in taking frequent vacations, traveling, relaxation and rest.  These are gifts of God and the busy soldier of Christ needs to retire often for renewal and liesure.  But this is different than the mindset Piper warns us of in this video.

So, don’t waste your life – or your retirement.