TITLE: Meaningful Retirement

Introduction

1. Retirement – a word that brings fear to some, joy to others; apprehension to most.

2. Book title: Twice as much husband, half as much money, by Glover Shipp

3. What are some biblical insights to retirement?

4. How does God want you to use your talents and life experience?

1. Find Significance in Retirement

   1. Retirement may be the beginning of a second career.

   2. It may offer the chance to volunteer.

   3. Financial matters change - Matthew 6:19–21 lay up treasures in heaven

   4. Be useful - Galatians 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

   5. Make decisions AHEAD of retirement time
      
       

2. Use your Knowledge, Wisdom, Ability for Ministry

   1. The church’s view of retirees may determine their involvement.

   2. Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat your bread till you return to the ground. For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.

   3. Job 12:12 Wisdom is with aged men, and with length of days, understanding.

   4. Psalm 92:13–14 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing.

   5. Romans 12:4–8 ⁴For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, ⁵so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. ⁶Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

   6. As the baby boom generation reaches retirement, increasing numbers of educated, capable, and eager adults will be seeking ways to use their skills in the church.

   7. Some will volunteer, but some will only rise to a task if challenged.

   8. Church leaders must give serious consideration to how they might understand and use the skills and experience of these older adults.
       

3. Give of Yourself During Retirement

   1. Great contentment can be found in giving away your time, talents, and life learning to those who need it.

   2. Luke 12:48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

   3. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

   4. 2 Corinthians 9:11–12 ¹¹while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. ¹²For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,

   5. 1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

   6. How can retirees view their roles in the church body as vital links to meeting important needs?

   7. What does it mean to give yourself away to others versus living for yourself?

   8. What is our motive for this selfless act of using our time, talent, and skill for the benefit of others? .