God's in charge of your retirement
He isn’t just our God in the good times. He isn’t just our God in our youth. He is our God through our whole lifetime.
I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. (Isaiah 46:4)
The world’s economy seems to be pretty much shot. I mean, I’m not an economist, but I know enough about finance and banking to recognize that as a whole, the world is pretty much sunk when it comes to matters of money.
And as far as the United States goes? Yeah. Retirement has been an issue on my mind for a long time, mostly because I haven’t had a lot of excess to save for retirement. I did when I worked a corporate job, but the Lord led me to self-employment in 2015. And when you work for yourself, there’s no handy-dandy matched 401K program. You just pinch pennies and pray that you stay healthy.
Personally, I don’t think social security is going to last. So I’m not counting on having the government-funded retirement I’ve been paying into since I got my first job at 14. And maybe that should concern me, but it doesn’t. Because I’ve got verses like the one we’re focusing on today.
Basically, God is my retirement plan.
Yeah, I realize that sounds naïve. And I am making wise choices with my finances, as much as I can, but I can either spend my days saving every penny and working myself to death so that I can fill the bank with money. Or I can use the time God gave me to do what only I can do, to serve the people He’s put in my life, and to accomplish the tasks He sets for me. And I can trust Him to provide the rest.
I can only serve two bosses: God or my finances. And I choose God. That means I have to trust that He’ll provide what I need when I’m incapable of working. But this is a promise He has made to us.
He isn’t just our God in the good times. He isn’t just our God in our youth. He is our God through our whole lifetime. He knows what’s coming. He already has a plan. And He will take care of us. He always has, and nothing is going to stop Him.
So be wise with your resources. Be a faithful steward of what God has entrusted you with. But don’t wear yourself out worrying that you won’t have enough in the future. God has that handled. You just keep following Him.
Questions for Reflection
Why is it hard to trust that God will provide resources for you and your family?
What is one element of your finances you can surrender to God today?
Why would you be afraid to let God carry you?
Weekly Memory Verse
Just retired in 2021. Problem now is, the money I'm getting isn't worth what it used to be worth. But the Lord keeps reminding me to trust Him, and follow His lead. Good word!