Many books and articles have been written about Christians and money, and some about retirement. This blog is about Christians and retirement, and I often write about money and stewardship.
There’s much to say about these topics, but the Bible tells us what is most essential for us to know—not every practical detail about personal financial management, but guidance and instruction from God himself to help us make wise practical decisions.
In 2015, when I first started this blog, I wrote a little ”ebook” to give away. I still make it available to new subscribers. It’s titled 15 Principles of Retirement Stewardship. (If you never downloaded it, you can do so HERE.)
I based each principle on Scripture, and I thought it might be helpful and encouraging to you, no matter where you are on your retirement journey, to take a fresh look at them. I’ve also included links to articles for each principle that you may find helpful.
Practice Stewardship
“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” Psalm 24:1 (ESV)
“’The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord of hosts.” Haggai 2:8 (ESV)
“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (ESV)
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace…” I Peter 4:10 (ESV)
Further Reading: There’s More to Retirement Stewardship Than Getting the Numbers Right
Pursue Generosity
“I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack. . . ..” II Corinthians 8:13-14 (ESV)
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” I Timothy 6:10 (ESV)
“So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:5-8 (ESV)
Further Reading: Stewardship and the Challenge of Generosity
Embrace Work
“Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor .10:31 (ESV)
“For from Christ and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever.” Rom. 11:36 (ESV)
Further Reading: What Will You Do When You Retire?
Avoid (Most) Debt
Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 (ESV)
“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” Proverbs 22:7 (ESV)
Further Reading: Don’t Carry Debt Into Retirement
Live Below Your Means
“But Godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6 (ESV)
“Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ “Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)
Further Reading: Spending and Retirement Stewardship
Expect the Unexpected
“…for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45b (ESV)
“A prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.” Proverbs 27:12 (ESV)
“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1Timothy 5:6 (ESV)
Further Reading: The Stewardship of Life (Part One)—Long Term Care
Save (but Don’t Hoard)
“In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” Proverbs 21:20 (ESV)
“Even ants store up provisions for the coming winter.” Prov. 6:6-8 (ESV)
“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’ ” Luke 12:18-19 (ESV)
“’…and the things you have prepared, whose will they be? So is the one who lays up treasures for himself and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:20b-21 (ESV)
Further Reading: Help—I Think Too Much About My Retirement Savings
Invest Wisely
“And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’ “Matthew 25:20-21(ESV)
“Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.” Ecclesiastes 11:1-2
“Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. “Ecclesiastes 11:4
Further Reading: Investing for Retirement (Part One)
Seek Godly Counsel
“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22 (ESV)
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.” Psalm 1:1 (ESV)
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 12:15 (ESV)
“Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps errs.” Proverbs 19:2 (ESV)
Further Reading: Financial Advisors: Part One (What They Do)
Avoid Get Rich Quick Schemes
The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. Proverbs 21:5 (ESV)
A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not consider that poverty will come upon him. Proverbs 28:22 (ESV)
Further Reading: Does Cryptocurrency Belong in Your Retirement Portfolio?
Pursue Continuous Learning
An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. Proverbs 18:15 (ESV)
Further Reading: The Stewardship of Godly Wisdom
Deal with Any Regrets
He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame. Proverbs 10:5 (ESV)
A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart, the spirit is crushed. Proverbs 15:13 (ESV)
…forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:13b-14 (ESV)
Further Reading: Minimizing Regret in Retirement
Pay Attention to Your Health
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you…It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:1-2,8 (ESV)
Further Reading: Medicare Health Insurance Options
Don’t Fear
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” Proverbs 111:10 (ESV)
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5-7 (ESV)
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
Further Reading: Overcoming Retirement Fears
Purpose to Finish Well
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (ESV)
Further Reading: Are You Full of Sap?