The Self-Sustaining Principle

The Self-Sustaining Principle—Article #1: Planning Wisely to Avoid Burdening Others

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This article is part of the Biblically-Informed Framework for Retirement Stewardship (BIFRS) series. In the previous article, I introduced a biblical framework for retirement planning based on three principles from John Piper: the Self-Sustaining Principle, the Caregiving Principle, and the Ministry Principle. Together, these three principles provide a simple but theologically well-grounded approach to retirement … Read more

The Most Important Thing to do in Your 60s and Beyond to Retire With Dignity

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This article is part of the Biblically-Informed Framework for Retirement Stewardship. It was initially published in April 2017 but was updated in January 2026. This article is the fourth and final one in a series about the most important thing you can do in different stages of life to be able to “retire with dignity.” … Read more

The Most Important Thing to do in Your 40s and 50s to Retire With Dignity

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Originally published March 2017. Updated January 2026 with Biblical Framework connections and current statistics. This article, the third in a series, focuses on individuals in their 40s and 50s. If you’re younger than that, you may want to review the first two installments: what to do if you’re in your 20s and 30s or your … Read more

The Most Important Thing to do in Your 20s and 30s to Retire With Dignity

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This article is part of the Biblically-Informed Framework for Retirement Stewardship (BIRFS). It was initially published in March 2017 but was updated in January 2026. This article is the first in a four-part series focused on the most important thing you can do during different stages of life to be able to retire with dignity. … Read more

Communicating about Retirement in Marriage

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This article is part of the Biblically-Informed Framework for Retirement Stewardship. It was initially published in December 2016 but was updated in January 2026. I recently read a very enlightening article titled, “Study: Money Secrets and Sluggish Savings Put Couples’ Retirement Dreams at Risk.” The study, which was conducted by nerdwallet.com and Harris Poll, showed … Read more