Saving for Retirement

[brosmith]

Bro. Smith' date=' you have completely mis-interpreted scripture by stating that saving for the future is sinful.[/quote']

I never said that saving for the future was sinful. I stated that saving for retirement is unbiblical. There is a difference.

[Pastorj]

If it is unbiblical, then it is contrary to God's plan and therefore a sin. Which is not an accurate portrayal of Scripture.

[trc123]

If it is unbiblical' date=' then it is contrary to God's plan and therefore a sin. Which is not an accurate portrayal of Scripture.[/quote']

Unless he's using "unbiblical" in the sense of "extrabiblical" meaning not in the Bible by example or command.

[brosmith]

If it is unbiblical' date=' then it is contrary to God's plan and therefore a sin. Which is not an accurate portrayal of Scripture.[/quote']

Then show me in the scriptures where it is biblical to save for retirement.

[John81]

I have yet to have someone explain to me how one is to live if one does not have a retirement fund AND if one does not live off the government for his last years.

The same way folks did before either of these were commonly available and the same way folks do in many other countries around the world today; the work to support themselves and/or their children or other family members help them, and/or the church provides support.

I know of several elderly folks today who have no retirement money because they were never able to save any and even though they get social security checks they amount to very little so they are working at Wal-Mart and other places.

Right now, I have no money to retire on and I can't draw social security. Unless something changes between now and then, I'll have to work when I'm old, pray the Lord guides my children or someone to help me out, or die.

[brosmith]

Right now' date=' I have no money to retire on and I can't draw social security. Unless something changes between now and then, I'll have to work when I'm old, pray the Lord guides my children or someone to help me out, or die.[/quote']

My dad did not retire. In his old age he ran a building supply business. He was 77 years old when he died.

[John81]

There is a man in our church who is in his 70s and he's still working to support his wife and himself. God has richly blessed him with being about the most fit and "youngest" seeming 70-something year old man I've known.

[Anon]

I'm not saying its wrong to not have retirement.

I'm just saying for someone to say its wrong TO have retirement, is not Scriptural. Especially someone who takes money from the government to support their family...they are like the pot calling the kettle black.

[heartstrings]

4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

Notice that the ant works while she still can, "in summer", she gathers it in the "harvest", and stores it up for the time when she CANNOT work.

[brosmith]

4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

Notice that the ant works while she still can, "in summer", she gathers it in the "harvest", and stores it up for the time when she CANNOT work.

Now that is definitely taking scripture out of context. Just because a person chooses not to save for retirement doesn't mean he/she is lazy. And just because a person is old doesn't mean he/she can't work.

[brosmith]

Nobody can convince me that using government funds is more spiritual than putting your own hard earned money in an investment fund so that you are independent as an older person AND able to pass down an inheritance to your children.

Who said anything about relying on the government in old age?

Is it really an "investment" when retirement funds are tied to the stock market? What if the stock market crashes and you lose everything? By the way, I do believe the stock market will crash and many "investors" will be wiped out. We have seen some of that this week. Investment losses are real and happen all the time.

Isn't it possible that we have a gross misunderstanding of what an inheritance is? We automatically think of money and things but a spiritual inheritance will last for generations. It is actually foolish to store up thousands of dollars (and sometimes millions) just so it can be wasted by the next generation.

[John81]

Isn't it possible that we have a gross misunderstanding of what an inheritance is? We automatically think of money and things but a spiritual inheritance will last for generations. It is actually foolish to store up thousands of dollars (and sometimes millions) just so it can be wasted by the next generation.

I've heard some good, sound pastors preach upon this. They preached the inheritance most important is that of passing on ones faith in God from one generation to the next and not that of passing on riches.

[Anon]

Good Scriptures, Heartstrings....

Nobody here is putting away millions....however anyone who puts money away for the future is WISE, not covetous.

[John81]

Good Scriptures, Heartstrings....

Nobody here is putting away millions....however anyone who puts money away for the future is WISE, not covetous.

I could agree with you perhaps if you didn't say "anyone". There are those who put money away for emergencies (whether that be a medical need, childrens needs, tough economic times, old age or whatever) that do so with prudence in mind. However, there are also those who put money away for the future out of a covetous, prideful heart. They put money away so they will be rich while everyone else is barely getting by; so they can keep their money to themselves rather than spend/waste it upon others now; etc.

Money put away for the future for the right reasons done with a right heart is great but there are those who put money away for the right or wrong reasons out of a heart that's sinful and that's not right or good.

[Anon]

I could agree with you perhaps if you didn't say "anyone". There are those who put money away for emergencies (whether that be a medical need, childrens needs, tough economic times, old age or whatever) that do so with prudence in mind. However, there are also those who put money away for the future out of a covetous, prideful heart. They put money away so they will be rich while everyone else is barely getting by; so they can keep their money to themselves rather than spend/waste it upon others now; etc.

Money put away for the future for the right reasons done with a right heart is great but there are those who put money away for the right or wrong reasons out of a heart that's sinful and that's not right or good.

It is ALWAYS wise to put money away. Motive doesn't count, necessarily. I mean, its always wise to brush your teeth, whether you are doing it for good health or doing it to kiss or be immoral! Its always wise to put money away...God will judge your motives.

And I don't know anyone who puts money away so "they can be rich while everyone else is barely getting by." This is typical of the thoughts of the class-envious.