Working in Retirement

Five-Minute Friday – Does your retirement plan include work? If so, what is your motivation?

I feel sorry for those who think that retirement is a time to cease from work or working. While it is true that my 72-year-old body is now wearing down and is more easily tired, there is still much to do. My typical workday is no longer typical. I don’t commute anywhere. I don’t earn a paycheck. There is no boss, except perhaps my wife, my pastor, and the requests that come from family and friends. Ah, but there is a “boss” to whom I am always and ultimately accountable.

One key principle of life is that I don’t know when my work will end. I also don’t know how my work will be evaluated. I think I know, but I cannot always be certain because I often have wrong thoughts and wrong motives.

Of course, Cindie or our pastor can evaluate my current work, but there is a higher authority. I need to have this perspective as I work. “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3 In other words, I want to keep this focused on the one who has the best perspective about my work. This is a powerful motivation for careful planning and thinking about what is important, what should be the priority, and the importance of work.

Some Helpful Perspectives About Work

King Solomon had a sharp mind. He observed life and struggled with injustice, and the meaningless of things “under the sun” apart from a higher view of man’s purpose. His recommendations are helpful. 1) Work at your work with your might. 2) Work should be a cause for rejoicing. 3) Those that are slackers are in the same camp as those who destroy. 4) Skilled workers, as a general rule, are given more responsibility. 5) God sees your work and he will repay according to your work. 6) Be careful to set priorities. Know the things that are of first importance. 7) Your tongue can either be a positive influence, or it can work ruin. 8) If you pursue worthless activities, you will not be happy with the results. If you are curious as to how I know these are true, then read the following pieces of what King Solomon wrote.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”

Ecclesiastes 3:22 “So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?”

Proverbs 12:11 “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.”

Proverbs 18:9 “Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.”

Proverbs 22:29 “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”

Proverbs 24:12 “If you say, ‘Behold, we did not know this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?”

Proverbs 24:27 “Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.” This is a reminder about priorities.

Proverbs 26:28 “A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”

Proverbs 28:19 “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.”

How to Identify a Follower of Jesus

I want my work to be a pointer to my faith. By that I mean I want the things I do to be guided by and point to my trust in God. James had this to say: “But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?” James 2:18-20

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.