The End Times and Retirement Plans

[Patreesha]

I'd appreciate some input on retirement planning. Unfortunately I work in the marketing department of a financial company that sells retirement plans. It's my job to get people to buy 401(k)s and the rest but can't really get passionate about it. Thankfully I'm not a salesperson -- I design the brochures and other material so it's kinda indirect. Personally, I think that we should depend on God daily and that we probably won't be here in 20+ years. Plus I could use the extra money today while we're here. What does everyone think about retirement planning? A waste of time and money, or financial prudence?

[bvaliant4him]

I'd appreciate some input on retirement planning. Unfortunately I work in the marketing department of a financial company that sells retirement plans. It's my job to get people to buy 401(k)s and the rest but can't really get passionate about it. Thankfully I'm not a salesperson -- I design the brochures and other material so it's kinda indirect. Personally, I think that we should depend on God daily and that we probably won't be here in 20+ years. Plus I could use the extra money today while we're here. What does everyone think about retirement planning? A waste of time and money, or financial prudence?

I've been wondering about that myself. I decided to just do the minimum and let God do the rest. We really don't know when He will show up!

[fl2007rn]

I certainly believe it is a personal choice whether you participate in a retirement savings plan. I do the minimum 4% 401K at my job, but am hoping the rapture will happen before I retire. I am 48 and will be surprised if social security is still around in 17 years when I go to retire.

[Wishing4]

We are saving for retirement. I let DH do most of the money making decisions. He sees how little his parents were able to save, and they are getting to the age of retirement and have to keep working. I'm glad we are saving, but if we aren't here to need it, that would be fine with me.

[pixelpusher]

I have thought many times about cashing out what little I have and using it for things we need now, but we just don't know how long the Lord will be patient with this world.

[Florian9]

I have thought many times about cashing out what little I have and using it for things we need now, but we just don't know how long the Lord will be patient with this world.

That's my problem too--who knows how long the Lord will take before he bails us out of here. I'm a saver....big time! Started my 401k when I was 26. Every year I add 1% to my contribution. There was a time I was dropping in 25% and the dividends have paid out big time. Sure, based on "market averages" I'm on the path to have well over a million by the time I retire in 20 years or so, but that can all go away with the stroke of a pen here, along with some major wars overseas. My eyes are still on things above--but I wisely put money away into my 401k because I want to take care of my wife and family (just in case). It's good to be prepared & there is nothing wrong about having a good nest egg.

[penbrat]

I certainly believe it is a personal choice whether you participate in a retirement savings plan. I do the minimum 4% 401K at my job, but am hoping the rapture will happen before I retire. I am 48 and will be surprised if social security is still around in 17 years when I go to retire.

I'll be 42 soon and certainly don't expect there to be social security around by the time I retire (should the Lord tarry) I am thankful that it is here now for my mom. I work for small law firm and we have a little bit of a retirement plan, but not much. I save the best I can and will trust God to do the rest. I really pray that we are not here much longer, but obviously it is His timing not mine

[Wally]

I sometimes joke with 401k promoters, how do they sell to pentacostals or others believing the Rapture is within a couple years.


Remember, no one knows the day.


Retirement planning is not something to brush off. God tells us to be good stewards. Some of that is planning for the future.

Do I want to be a burden to my kids? No. Do I expect them to care for me in my last years? If they are able.
Do I desire that I leave them something instead of having it dissolve in medical costs......

The poor you will have with you always.

So what is Jesus calling us to do? Proclaim, share the Gospel, Love our families and neighbors. Financial planning is to support these directives. It is subordinate.
It also is to be done in a manner of trust. Jesus wants us to trust Him. Our planning should evidence that.

Saving is different today than it was in Bible times. Families are different, social services are very different, churches are different.

But God hasn't changed.


Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

[Cindy S.]

I don't put all my eggs in one basket and I don't expect to be able to retire and do nothing.
I have been blessed with good health and if I can keep working I probably will. I'm currently 53.
I have a small 401K, we heat mostly with wood and we have a 5 acre wooded property for
recreation and home heat, I just bought a freezer and will invest in food at sale prices only from
now on.
We live in a 2 bd, 1 bath house and don't live beyond our means.
I don't plan on social security although it would be nice to get paid back for all the years I paid into it.
I think it's better to buy with the cash while we can, in case we go to a global currency and lose
1/2 the value of our dollar or lose it from the quantitative easing.
With my cash, I'm buying food, stocking my pantry, paying off our house.
If the stock market were to crash, we would survive.
Oh, and like Acts, I invest in my tracts ministry and make sure I am supporting my church.

[Teresa_1966]

Personally, I think that we should depend on God daily and that we probably won't be here in 20+ years. Plus I could use the extra money today while we're here. What does everyone think about retirement planning? A waste of time and money, or financial prudence?

Of course, I also firmly believe we should depend on God for our daily lives. I also believe God wants us to be wise and take care of ourselves while we are still living in this world. A world where money and retirement funds keep us from living off the charity of hardworking people.

I think of my husband's parents who worked hard their whole lives and saved their money wisely, lived a decent, modest life, and gave as they could to charities and family in need. My husband's mother is almost a 100 years old and has been a widow for many years. She lives in an assisted living facility that takes excellent care of her. My husband doesn't have to go into his own retirement funds or let the state take care of his mother. By her prudence and faithfulness to what God gave her, she will live out the rest of her life in comfort and peace of mind.

My own parents are in their mid-sixties, sick, and poor. They live off their social security, which as you know is practically nothing. They have spent their whole lives wasting the gifts and talents that God gave them. And while I have no doubt that the Lord, who my mother dearly loves and serves, will take care of her. The degree that she will be taken care of is obviously to the degree of how she has taken care of herself.

My heart breaks for their future as they continue to live in this world and their age and sickness increases. It also has strengthened my resolve to not be like my parents. I started late in life in getting myself in a position to start a retirement plan. I give all the credit and glory to God for directing my path to a man who insist that I save for my old age. I of course pray every day that Jesus calls us home. However if he does tarry, then I will do my best to honor what he gives me and take care of myself, while hopefully having enough to do what he puts on my heart to do.

[kjlistrom]

For myself, I am happy to be in the hands of the Lord. He provides daily for our needs, perfectly.

[countryboy]

My wife and I invest in an IRA and I also have a 401K at work. But I truly believe the rapture will occur way before we will have to use it !

[Jlutz]

My wife and I invest in an IRA and I also have a 401K at work. But I truly believe the rapture will occur way before we will have to use it !

then take the money out and use it to bless someone.