What does the Bible say about retirement?

Show Notes:

Host: Jim Hughes, Christian Life Coach

Only recent English translations will use the word retirement, because the concept wasn't invented until 1885.

From New Living Translation: Numbers 8:23-26: "The LORD also instructed Moses, 'This is the rule the Levites must follow: they must begin serving in the Tabernacle at the age of twenty-five, and they must retire at the age of fifty. After retirement they may assist their fellow Levites by performing guard duty at the Tabernacle, but they may not officiate in the service. This is how you will assign duties to the Levites.'"

That's the only place in the Bible you'll find the word retirement.

We learn from the Bible that all other servants of God continued serving throughout life.

• John the Apostle was serving and writing into his 90's.
• Moses didn't even start his most important work until age 80, and continued until he died at age 120.

Jesus' call to us is to take up his yoke -- to join him in his work. It would go against every example in the Bible to suggest that we should slip off the yoke -- retire from working with him.

In fact, the modern invention of retirement actually provides the opportunity to do just the opposite -- to significantly increase our workload in doing kingdom business.