Show me in the Bible where the word retirement or the concept is even mentioned? You can’t. But I can show you where the Almighty commands us to work six days each week and to rest on the seventh day (the Sabbath or Shabbat, Exod 20:8–11). I can also show you where, because of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, the Creator told us the free lunch ended and we had to get to work (Gen 3:17–19).

Only in our overindulgent, materialistic and wealthy western society is retirement an option.

For many who are lacking in a spiritual faith and who have no concept of biblical truth, retirement has become their “heaven on earth.” Retirement is the humanists’ heaven.

Admittedly, as one becomes elderly, the body doesn’t function as it once did. But that doesn’t mean one has to resort to a life of non-productive inactivity. In ancient Israel, when the Levites reached the age of fifty, they presumably took on more of an advisory role in helping to train the next generation of Levites (Num 8:25). This rule didn’t, however, apply to those in the priesthood who served until death. The kings and prophets and prophets of Israel served until their death as well. Moses didn’t retire. Neither did Joshua, David or the the apostles. They all died with their boots on.

I’d rather burn out than rust out!

Moreover, elders (wise and older people) were to serve as leaders of the congregational assembly in the New Testament era. They were  busy during their so-called retirement years.

These things being the case, why is it that so many Bible followers and even supposedly Torah-obedient individuals don’t work six days a week, and stop working at what our humanistic society calls “retirement age”? Why do so many woman support their husbands, who proudly laud their new status as “house husbands”? Why are there so many men on welfare feigning a disability, so they can collect a check from the government, when, for many of them, there is something they could do to help support their families, but instead, they proudly live off the labors of others? In reality they’re lazy thieves! This is hardly a godly virtue.

Even those who have worked hard and have the financial resources to “retire” at a certain age, is it biblical to resort to a life of laziness and self-indulgent ease? Hardly! They should be using their resources including their time, knowledge and wisdom to help others — especially the younger generation. Kudos to those who are doing so. Shame on those who aren’t!

Sadly, we have become a society of lazy bums all too often living off of others. Is this something to be proud of? If this is our lifestyle, do we really think we will hear YHVH’s words on the day of judgment, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”?