I read the sermon on the mount, and I can't help but wonder if a Christian, in general, should have a 401K or other retirment fund.
Christ says things like, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on Earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. Store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and thieves do not break in and steal."
He also says, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?"
So, how is a retirement fund not storing up treasures on earth because of our worry about our life and body? Well, it is just good stewardship of the funds God has given, and we don't want to be a burden on our children or society.
I think that good stewardship of the funds God has given us would be giving all our excess (and maybe even sacrificing some things) to erradicate world hunger. Good stewardship would be putting our holy boots in AIDS' ass. Good stewardship isn't making sure we can afford an RV and gas when the time comes for us to hang up the overalls or the suit.
Now, the point about being a burden to children is somewhat more valid than the "good stewardship" argument. In the world we live in, retirment funds may be a necessary evil (though not entirely nor to the degree we use them). However, let me take a moment and paint a picture for you.
Imagine a church when every moment from first to final breath was spent in commitment to Christian community. Imagine if we lived as people of equal means no matter our salaries and made sure that no one in our midst was in need (and, in this global society, this may look like trying to ensure that no one in our world is in need). Imagine how freeing this would be. Every person would be about kingdom business his whole life, and would work to support the family as long as he was able. When retirement came (from a career, mind you, not from lay ministry), it would be the natural cycle of things that the community, particularly his loved ones, would provide for him. It would not be a burden; it would be a joy.
What a privilege to help provide necessary things that don't really matter to a person who has provided and continues to provide so many things that really do matter. And there would be no guilt on the part of the elderly, for when they were still working, they too had helped provide to the generation before them.
One final question that will be left unexplored at present, for I must go to bed: Are retirement funds and massive savings accounts an outgrowth of western individualism?
About Me
- Wes
- Abilene, TX, United States
- Hi. My name is Wes. I grew up in Duncanville, the youngest of six kids, but now I am a Junior at Abilene Christian University. Despite all my faults and weaknesses, I am on a journey to become a radical follower of Christ. I'm so blessed to be a part of the Allelon community as God ushers in His Kingdom more and more!
9 comments:
He responded by asking how she was doing in school.
Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other
people she knew. She didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many college friends either because she spent all her time studying.
Her father listened, then asked, "How is your friend Audrey doing?" She replied, "Audrey is barely getting
by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus; college for her is a blast. She's always
invited to all the parties, and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes because she's too hung over."
Her father asked her, "Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct a 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend Audrey, who only has a 2.0?
That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA, and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA."
The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, "That's a crazy idea! How would that be fair? I've worked really hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard
work. And she's done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!"
Perhaps I misunderstood this story, but if it means what it seems to mean, I have to ask:
Really? We can't find anyone in the world (there are billions in fact, some abroad and some here is the US) who is hungry and homeless and maltreated not because of anything they did or did not do but because of where they were born or what the people in power have done?
Plus, as Christians, is the money really ours? And what are we called to do with the money that has been entrusted to us?
Have seen that email "letter" before in relation to flat rate taxes, so not sure of it's relevance here. Maybe your idea/question was misunderstood.
As far as personal savings, we are told in the bible to save as in the proverb about being like the ant. We are also told to tithe to our church and be generous with those in need. There is a balance and all can be accomplished when people and churches do not build monuments to themselves. It would be hard to hear a message like yours from a church that has built fortunes and decorated themselves with gold and ornate expensive things. That being said some of the richest people in America have also been the most giving and generous toward the public good in numerous ways. It is those who only hoard and hide their money never to use it or donate it that truly miss the joy that can come from giving and helping.
Your message taken in it's purist and most heart felt meaning, is beautiful and wonderful and probably a lot like God planned for us if we had remained in Eden.
LAW
Mrs. Wallace!!! Hi! I was wondering who anonymous was. Good points all.
Even I can post as anonymous. That doesn't mean I wrote any of the above.
Socialism does not work and has not worked anywhere in the world...Once folks find out they can acheive an acceptable standard of living without working they won't work.
See anyone can post anonymous.
I love you for taking the time to think of all of this. So many don't and you are just great. Does that mean you are taking care of your parents?
Wes,
Thanks for the thoughtful post. We spend WAY too much effort making sure we've got plenty of money to live *comfortably* in retirement.... and a little extra for medical bills... and of course an extra fund for unexpected things...
What if we spent that much effort on storing up treasures in heaven?
Hey Wes,
I think the Lord is speaking to your heart. Here's what another spirit filled and committed radical Christian has to say on the subject:
Daniel Spenrath talks about 'earthly treasure'
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