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Articles > Retirement Savings
The truth about the biblical concepts of savings and retirement relating to your personal finances
Savings & Retirement...Are These Biblical Concepts?
By Amber Drabek
In the Sitter’s book: Financial Freedom in 7
Weeks Plus, prosperity is defined as having enough resources
(money, time, talent, and health) to accomplish everything
God has called us to do. If God is in the center of
our finances, then they will flourish and grow. “Through
skillful and Godly wisdom is a house (a life, a home,
a family) built, and by understanding it is established
(on a sound and good foundation). And by knowledge shall
its chambers (of every area) be filled with all precious
and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24:3-4 (AMP)
Saving money regularly is an integral key to remaining
prosperous. God blesses us with the resources that we
need, but we must remain effective stewards of these
resources. We can learn a great deal from the ant. “Go
to the ant you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander, no overseer, or ruler, yet it stores
its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”
Proverbs 6:6-8 (NIV) The ant is a small and fragile
creature with not much power individually. However,
with its diligence and dedication to an ant hill, the
storing of its provisions gets completed in an amazing
way. We must remain powerfully connected to God’s
guidance and follow His direction to store up (save)
provisions, for the future. Retirement savings makes
great sense and this allows us to be in a powerful and
amazing position to financially do whatever He calls
us to do.
Saving money without God’s guidance or direction
will lead us to simply hoarding money. Then money becomes
our focus, instead of God and His plans for how we are
to steward His money. “Keep your lives free from
the love of money and be content with what you have,
because God has said, never will I leave you; never
will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) He wants
us to plan for the future and to be able to provide
for ourselves, our families, or for others. Saving,
along with biblical giving, is part of God’s plan
of preparation for a future that He has already planned
for us. Therefore, saving money should never be an act
that involves worrying about tomorrow. Remember, the
Lord said that He would never leave us nor forsake us.
Retirement planning is another issue related to savings,
and it definitely better prepares you and your family
for the future. We must include preparations for uncertainties
and for all new endeavors that may show-up as we consider
retirement. The Lord wants us to be ready and willing
to complete whatever endeavor He holds for us at this
season of life. It may be a spiritual call or a second
secular career (see the book Game Plan) but God certainly
does not want His people, regardless of age, to just
retire and watch TV.
What a day to look forward to, when the Lord says,”
Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been
faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge
of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!”
Matthew 25:23 (NIV).
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