So what about retirement? As I think about entitlement, that’s one thing that I struggle with. The idea of retiring late in life to enjoy the fruits of one’s labors is a basic part of our culture. Is it a biblical concept?
Dare I mention the parable of the rich fool? You know the one:
““The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”” (Luke 12:16–21)
Is it wrong to store up during one’s younger years so that we won’t have to work when we’re older? Should we expect government to take care of us? Family? The church?
I’ll put it bluntly: I’m not prepared. Not because of a conscious decision to not save money for the future, but just as a stark reality. If I’m going to have a decent retirement, I’ve got to make a lot more money over the next 20 years or so. Should that be my plan? Is that a godly approach to life? Is it poor stewardship NOT to prepare for retirement?
Lots of questions… got any insights for me?
I deserve better. I’m entitled to certain things. I have my rights. My forefathers worked hard so that I could live a certain way. I’ve worked like a dog so that I could live like a king.