If you read much about stewardship and retirement planning, you’ll hear many thoughts expressed in the context of ”life stages” and our lifestyle choices in each of them.

Here’s a graphic I used recently in a stewardship seminar for the young single adults in my church:

This is a logical way to think about financial planning in general and retirement planning in particular.

Both generally take into account five stages. Regarding retirement planning, Stages 1 thru 3 can be grouped as the ”accumulation phase,” and Phases 4 and 5 as the ”deaccummulation phase.”

Yes, “deaccumulation” is a word that refers to the distribution and use of your financial assets to pay the bills in retirement. Many retirees find that it’s more complex than the accumulation of assets.

As shown below, deaccummulation usually starts at retirement and continues as long as we live.

How much you “deaccumulate” depends on many factors, mainly how much savings you have and how quickly you deplete them through spending and giving.

Having an accumulation and deaccumulation strategy is essential to retirement planning. However, as Christians, viewing our lives primarily in terms of what we accumulate and deaccumulate monetarily isn’t what the scriptures teach. It’s not the essence of our life story as viewed from God’s redemptive plan and work.

Jesus emphasized this point when he said, ”Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15, ESV)

Although these strategies are necessary if you want to retire one day, Jesus points us to a more glorious vision for our lives than just accumulating and disposing of money and things: living for God’s glory and furthering His kingdom. He told his disciples, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:33, ESV).

Jesus was well aware of the human desire for treasure and wealth (Matt. 6:19–24) and our tendency to worry about money (Matt. 6:25–32). He knows our needs but his words instruct us to “seek first the kingdom of God.”

We can do this because we have been “redeemed.” Our redemption is necessary to enter the kingdom and remove the wrath of God that had previously been upon us (John 3:36b).

Our personal redemption stories

In all their stages, our individual lives are part of the broad expanse of redemptive history as we promote and establish God’s kingdom as the ultimate purpose and end of all history.

On a personal level, God’s redemptive work begins with regeneration and justification. Then, the process of sanctification begins, eventually leading to glorification in the life to come in the new heaven and earth (Rom. 10:9, Eph. 4:11–32; Gal. 5:16–24, Col. 3:4).

It may be a weak metaphor, but we could think of this as the ”accumulation and deaccumulation” stages of our spiritual life here on earth.

It’s weak because we can never deplete the spiritual deposit God has made in us, the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:11, 1 Cor. 3:15). But we can live in his power as we work for the kingdom.

The spiritual ”accumulation” phase

Through regeneration, justification, and sanctification, we ”accumulate” the righteousness of Christ as we are first ‘made right’ with God through regeneration and justification, and then as we grow in personal righteousness and holiness (i.e., Christlikeness) through sanctification.

Those three words describe the whole process of salvation, except our “glorification,” which occurs in eternity.

All three of these are from God’s grace, not because of anything we have done or will do to earn them (Eph. 2:8–9). We cannot earn our justification or achieve our sanctification, and we cannot merit our glorification.

The saving works of regeneration and justification are based wholly on God’s work of grace through Christ (Rom. 3:24; 2 Cor. 9:8; Phil. 2:13; Titus 2:11). We haven’t done anything to earn them (Eph. 2:8-9)—and they are the starting point of the Christian life.

Sanctification is not something that “happens.” Even though we actively participate in it, we can’t achieve it alone. It’s a lifelong process in which we must cooperate with God (Gal. 2:20, Col. 3:1, Col. 3:5).

Dutch reformed theologian Herman Bavinck succinctly explains it this way:

Sanctification is a work of God, but it intended to be a work in which the believers themselves are also active in the power of God.

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The extent to which we embrace and participate in God’s work of sanctification will determine what kind of Christian we will be at age 60, 70, 80, or 90 and beyond. In other words, how much Christlikness we will “accumulate.”

Our part involves ongoing engagement with God through spiritual disciplines like devotions, fellowship, reading, prayer, worship, and attentively applying God’s Word to our lives (Acts 2:42, 1 Pet. 1:15; Heb. 12:14, John 17:17).

God’s part is completed through his word and His Holy Spirit as he makes us more and more like Christ, which he continues to do throughout our lives (Phil. 1:6).

The spiritual ”deaccumulation” phase

A biblical and Christ-centered retirement isn’t merely a cessation of work but a continuation of our calling to serve God and others, perhaps in new or more significant ways.

I will loosely refer to this as spiritual ”deaccumulation.” It’s a season of life when we can give more freely of the wisdom, knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience of God we have accumulated to serve and benefit others. It also includes how our lives, words, character, and actions bear witness to the truth of the gospel as faithful followers of Christ.

I need to caveat this by saying that, paradoxically, as we ”deaccumulate” our ”treasure in earthen vessels,” (2 Cor. 4:7), we are at the same time ”accumulating” treasure in heaven (Matt. 6:19-20).

If we set our affections on the material things (the ”treasure”) we accumulate on earth, we risk falling into sin and idolatry. But if our greatest desire is to love, worship, and serve God, we will give our time, money, resources, and talents to pursuits that glorify Him, and we will store up treasures in the kingdom of heaven.

So, spiritual ”deaccumulation” is all about living and seeking God’s kingdom in the here and now even as we anticipate it in its ultimate form in eternity future. That’s our primary purpose for living as God’s people.

Deaccumulate, but how?

One of the beautiful things about God’s work of redemption in our lives is that it leads to increased love for God and others, growth in personal holiness, and He spurs us toward ”good works.” As Herman Bavinck wrote,

In regeneration, He imparts new potentialities and so transforms the will which was rebellious that it is rebellious no longer. And in that same spiritual way He keeps on working in the believers after the initial regeneration; He does not in a false sense make them passive, but arouses them, rather, and causes them to walk in the good works prepared for them.

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It’s important to remember that this glorious work is, at its core, a work of God’s grace. It is of God, from God, and by God: ”And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8, ESV)

What kind of ”good works” might Paul refer to in that verse? I alluded to Matt. 6:19 thru 21 earlier. Although the context of that passage is mainly about earthly wealth, we can lay up treasures in heaven with more than money. Doing good and being rich in good works isn’t just about “treasure” (our money and material possessions); we can also do good by being generous with our time, efforts, talents, and skills in serving God and others for the sake of his kingdom.

No matter how much treasure is in your chest, God has still enriched you in many ways, especially spiritually (Eph. 1:3). So be creative in thinking about how God has blessed you and how you can pour out your life for the good of others.

Rom. 12:6 says we each have “gifts that differ according to the grace given us.” How we use these gifts will vary based on what we believe we are called to do in retirement. But no matter what gifts we’ve been given, we’re all called to make the most of them in whatever season and context God has us in.

Spiritually mature older Christians are examples of the gospel’s power to change lives. It’s not only our experiences and acquired wisdom that can encourage others. It’s also our example—how we demonstrate the redemptive work that God has done in us by living a life of faith and service—how we ”live our story,” in other words.

Through our active participation in church activities and ministries, we can contribute to the spiritual growth of our church community in various ways, providing leadership and support in multiple capacities.

Beyond our church and family, we can impact our broader communities by volunteering, community service, and other civic activities. We can find personal fulfillment and help build stronger, more compassionate communities by remaining active and involved.

Intentional deaccumulation

I have written about discovering your specific calling(s) in retirement and how you can align your skills, gifts, abilities, experience, and material resources with your needs. Here are a few questions you can ask to help you discern how God may be calling you:

• What unique talents and skills could you use in your vocation that could be “repurposed” in retirement?
• Which “people needs” resonate with you? What kinds of problems or ministry needs to move you?
• What are the most pressing volunteer needs in your church? Your community? In what way does your family need you?
• When have you felt the most compassion and concern for others?
• What activities do you enjoy, and how can you use your talents and abilities to meet needs while doing something you like?
• What are you good at (you don’t think so, but others tell you you are)?
• Do you have surplus possessions or resources that can be used to serve others?
• In what way have you felt God nudging you to take a step of faith?

Embrace your story

Embracing the story of our redemption helps us see each phase of life not as separate isolated periods but as interconnected and interrelated chapters of God’s redemptive plan for us and his world.

It’s a story in which every experience, trial, and success serves a greater purpose in God’s redemptive plan. We find profound meaning and enduring hope in every season by viewing our lives through this lens.

Continuing to grow in love and holiness throughout all stages of life is crucial for maintaining relevance and productivity in retirement. And it will be a source of joy for us.

It also helps us provide support and wisdom to our families, leadership in our churches, and active contributions to our communities.

Ultimately, the goal is to continue to bear good fruit, reflecting the love of Christ in every aspect of our lives.