What Does the Bible Say About Retirement?

Biblical Stewardship as the Foundation

The Bible teaches us that everything we have comes from God. Psalm 24:1 declares, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” This foundational truth frames how we approach financial planning. Retirement funds, savings, and investments are not merely ours to own, but resources entrusted to us by God to manage responsibly.

Biblically rooted retirement planning begins with this stewardship mindset. Rather than seeing wealth as an end goal, we should view it as a tool to provide for our families, support others, and further God’s kingdom. Check out The 7 Habits of a Good Steward to learn more.

The Importance of Saving for the Future

A common theme throughout the Bible is the importance of preparing for the future. Proverbs 27:23-24 urges us to take an active role in the prudent management of our resources when it says, “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever.”

Proverbs 6:6-8 underscores the importance of building reserves during periods of abundance with the example of the ant, which “stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”

Even looking back to Genesis 41, we see how Joseph, having faith in his interpretation of the dreams God sent the Pharoah, “stored up grain in great abundance” during Egypt’s seven-year stretch of prosperity, knowing that a seven-year famine was on the way.

In our opinion, saving for our retirement does not reflect a lack of trust in God but rather aligns with biblical wisdom. By diligently setting aside a portion of our income during our working years, we can create the financial stability it takes to meet future needs and avoid becoming a burden on others.

Retirement as a Season of Purpose, Not Idleness

Does the Bible say we should retire? Not explicitly. In fact, there is just one literal reference to retirement across the entire text—Numbers 8:23-26:

“The Lord said to Moses, “This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting, but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but they themselves must not do the work. This, then, is how you are to assign the responsibilities of the Levites.”

What’s important to note is that God is not telling the elders to take on a life of idleness, but rather assigning them new roles in service to others, likely because of the physical nature of their previously assigned jobs. Retirement, therefore, should be seen as a time to refocus on different ways of contributing to God’s work.

Generosity in Your Retirement Years

One of the ways to continue to serve others and God in retirement is through acts of generosity. Indeed, while the Bible encourages us to prioritize giving at every stage of life, it’s Jesus’s parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 that reminds us to plan for a life of giving, even in retirement.

“Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So, he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Much like the story of Moses and the Levites, this parable reminds us that the end goal of retirement planning should not be to accumulate wealth for a life of ease. It’s about preparing for a future where you can continue to be of service, even after the proverbial “daily grind” is behind you.

6 Practical Tips for Your Biblical Retirement Planning

So how should you apply the wisdom of the Bible to your own retirement plan? Here are six things to keep in mind:

1. Set Clear Goals Define what you want your retirement to look like. Consider your needs, desired lifestyle, and philanthropic priorities, as well as how you want to serve God in this stage of life.

2. Create a Budget – Establish a detailed budget that accounts for your expenses, savings goals, and giving commitments.

3. Seek Wise Counsel – Proverbs 15:22 reminds us, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Working with a faith-based financial planner, such as a Certified Kingdom Advisor®, helps ensure that your retirement strategy aligns with your values and honors God. What’s a Certified Kingdom Advisor?

4. Invest Responsibly – Consider investment options that reflect your values. Many Christian financial firms offer faith-based investment opportunities that avoid industries inconsistent with biblical teachings. Read our guide to faith-based investing now.

5. Plan for Longevity – Given advancements in healthcare, retirees are living longer than ever. Ensure that your savings and investments account for potential expenses, including healthcare.

6. Trust God’s Provision – While it’s essential to plan, remember to trust God’s faithfulness. Philippians 4:19 assures us, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”