does the Bible say I shouldn’t save for retirement?
Should Christians Save for Retirement?
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Should Christians Save for Retirement?
I spend a lot of time talking with fellow Christians—especially business owners—about money, stewardship, and how we use the resources God has entrusted to us. And one topic that often stirs deeper conversation is saving for retirement.
There’s a real tension here: Is it wise to prepare for later years, or does that kind of planning signal a lack of trust in God?
Wrestling with Misconceptions
For younger Christians, like myself, this can feel like a moral gray area. Some wrestle with the story of the rich man in Luke 12—after a great harvest, he built bigger barns to store his surplus. Jesus called him a fool for putting his trust in wealth.
Is saving just another version of that kind of self-reliance?
This interpretation can create guilt, making us think that preparing for the future is selfish—or even faithless.
On top of that, there are fallback plans we love to believe in:
“I’ll just sell my business and live off the proceeds.”
“I enjoy working, so I’ll keep going until I can’t.”
The problem? Life rarely goes according to plan. Markets shift. Health changes. And even the best businesses don’t always sell the way we hope.
Redefining Retirement
Let’s be honest—when we think about “retirement,” many of us picture a beach chair and a bottomless lemonade. But that vision is both unrealistic and misleading.
For most people, retirement isn't about luxury—it’s about a new season where full-time work is no longer possible. It’s about staying engaged through volunteering, spending time with family, and continuing to live with purpose. And that takes preparation.
Planning for that next chapter doesn’t mean we’re hoarding wealth. It means we’re stewarding what God has given us—so we can keep living faithfully even when we're no longer able to earn a living.
Wisdom from Joseph
In Genesis 41, God gives Pharaoh a dream: seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine. Joseph’s interpretation and leadership lead to a strategy of saving during abundance, so the people could survive the lean years.
No one looks back at that story and says Joseph lacked faith. In fact, it was God who gave him the insight to prepare.
So if you knew that a season of difficulty was coming, would it be faithless—or faithful—to prepare? Joseph shows us that wise planning and spiritual obedience can go hand-in-hand.
Faithful Stewardship Requires Balance
The Bible isn’t silent on planning. Proverbs 6 points to the ant—small, but wise—who stores food during summer to survive the winter. It’s a simple image with powerful wisdom: preparation isn’t a lack of trust. It’s a form of trust.
My pastor once put it plainly:
“Don’t give your rent money to the church—or you’ll end up asking the church to help with rent.”
It’s a good reminder that generosity must be paired with prudence. If we give without planning, we may unintentionally create a burden for others later.
Planning Isn’t Selfish
Saving for retirement isn’t about building bigger barns. It’s about recognizing future responsibilities—and preparing so we can meet them without becoming a burden.
In fact, the more prepared we are, the more freely we can continue giving during retirement. Wise planning can actually increase your ability to be generous—not just now, but for years to come.
“Planning for retirement isn’t an act of distrust—it’s an act of stewardship.”
A Personal and Prayerful Decision
In the end, this is a deeply personal decision. Scripture offers principles, not prescriptions. That means the call isn’t to blindly save—or blindly give—but to walk in wisdom and seek God’s direction.
So take time to reflect. Look at the stories in Scripture. Pray. Think about how you can hold generosity and responsibility together in your financial life.
Because stewardship isn’t just wise—it’s what we’re called to.
Many Christians want to be faithful with their resources—but aren't always sure how much is “enough.” If you're feeling tension between saving wisely and giving generously, you're not alone.
Let’s find a balance that honors both wisdom and generosity.
You can start by exploring tools from Generous Giving, or schedule a free call here to talk through your retirement savings plan.